ECB easing pushes European equities to seven-year high, euro sinks

(Reuters) - European stocks hit seven-year highs on Friday, continuing a rally ignited by the European Central Bank's plan for massive regional economic stimuli that also knocked the euro to 11-year lows.

For economic growth in 2012, there's little margin for error in U.S., abroad

WASHINGTON — It began with such promise. This time a year ago, forecasters were racing to upgrade their outlooks for what 2011 would hold.