Asian factories, US jobs show improvement

NEW YORK/BEIJING: Private U.S. firms stepped up hiring last month and factories showed modest improvement, surveys showed Thursday, while Asia's large economies started to pick up after a year of slower growth.

Draghi pledges to save Europe's single currency; euro surges

FRANKFURT, GERMANY: European Central Bank head Mario Draghi promised on Thursday to do whatever it could to protect the European single currency and sent a strong signal that the central bank has the high borrowing costs that are crippling countries like Spain and Italy in its sights.

In Latest Data on Economy, Experts See Signs of Pickup

WASHINGTON — Despite the recent run of disappointing economic data, a broad range of experts and forecasters expect the economy to improve slightly in coming months, thanks to lower oil prices and new signs of life from sectors like automobiles and housing.

U.S. job growth seen tapering off slightly

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Picture this: Job creation is on the upswing, consumers are spending freely and executives are more confident about their business. Things are looking up.

Economy improves but recovery hurdles persist

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing for new jobless benefits dropped to an almost four-year low last week, and factory activity in the mid-Atlantic expanded moderately, suggesting the economy carried some momentum into the new year.

Analysts Say Economic Recovery Might Suffer if Tax Break Is Allowed to Expire

WASHINGTON — Economists are warning that the looming expiration of a temporary payroll tax cut — and the possibility that Congress will not extend it — would cause families to spend less and could sap strength from a fragile recovery.

New Data Offers Some Positive Signs for the Recovery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell to a 3 1/2-year low last week, and factory activity in parts of the Northeast gained speed in December, suggesting a further strengthening of the economic recovery.