The NFEC Warns: 2012 May Bring New Global Economic Concerns, which Adds Additional Reasons to Teach Money Management Lessons to Kids

The National Financial Educators Council encourages communities to teach money management lessons to proactively address the global economic crisis.

Consumer confidence index surges in December

NEW YORK – Americans are gaining faith that the economy is on the upswing. The monthly Consumer Confidence Index surged to the highest level since April and is approaching a post-recession peak.

Economy expected to pick up, but still vulnerable

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy will grow faster in 2012 — if it isn’t knocked off track by upheavals in Europe, according to an Associated Press survey of leading economists.

Economy ends tough 2011 on a surprising upswing

WASHINGTON—The economy is ending 2011 on a roll.The job market is healthier. Americans are spending lustily on holiday gifts. A long-awaited turnaround for the depressed housing industry may be under way. Gas is cheaper. Factories are busier. Stocks are higher.

Oil price near $100 on global security concerns

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel Friday as worries over global security issues outweighed weak economic data in the U.S.

Hungary borrowing costs rise on junk downgrade

The implied cost of borrowing for Hungary has risen after ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) downgraded the country's debt to junk status.

BOJ warns of economic standstill as exports slump

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's central bank offered a bleaker view of the economy and the government warned of worsening business sentiment as exports slumped, adding to evidence of the pain Europe's debt crisis is inflicting on global growth and Japan's recovery prospects.

More Fed easing "gives me pause": Kocherlakota

(Reuters) - Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Narayana Kocherlakota on Tuesday said the idea of more Fed easing in the face of higher long-term unemployment "gives me pause."

If Payroll Tax Cut And Unemployment Benefits Are Not Extended, Labor Market Could Take Big Hit

As Congress jockeys over emergency stimulus measures that are set to expire soon, economists warned Monday that congressional inaction could spell further woes for the already sputtering economy, making an stagnant labor market even worse.

Consumer prices flat in November

(Reuters) - Consumer prices were flat in November as Americans paid less for cars and gasoline, a further sign of a cooldown in inflation that could give the Federal Reserve more room to help a still-weak economy.

Jobless claims at 3.5 year low, factories mixed

(Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits dropped to a 3-1/2-year low last week, suggesting a weak U.S. economy is gradually improving even though factory data proved more mixed.

Treasury sells 30-year bonds at a record-low yield

NEW YORK (AP) – High demand for U.S. government debt pushed the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond down to a record low Wednesday.

Fed sees risks from Europe

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday pointed to turmoil in Europe as a big risk to the economy, leaving the door open to a further easing of monetary policy even as it noted some improvement in the labor market.

Gold Prices Struggle to Stay Near $1, 700

Gold prices fell Wednesday on negative economic news from China and Europe plus concerns that the world's No. 1 economy is barely advancing.

Stocks close sharply higher as most of Europe agrees to fiscal coordination plan

A deal to forge stronger ties between most of Europe's economies sent stocks sharply higher Friday as hopes grew that the region is close to resolving its debt crisis.

Global Economy, U.S. Markets: Forecasts, Challanges

NEW YORK -- During November we experienced a huge interruption in the rally begun in October. However, the rally in the equity markets around the world and in risk assets in general resumed, as central bank coordination was announced.

Durban may be where seeds of new climate plan are planted, or where current one meets its doom

DURBAN, South Africa — As a global climate conference enters the home stretch, it’s likely that the 194 nations represented will reach some consensus on how to respond to the emissions that are warming the planet.

Investors flock to growing security sector

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Global investment in security industries is growing and is worth at least $60 billion, the latest analysis of trends in the sector by PricewaterhouseCoopers reported.

Eurozone: France and Germany call for tougher treaty

The leaders of France and Germany say the EU needs a new treaty to deal with the eurozone debt crisis.

Central Texas bids to make itself commercial hub of cyber security industry

Central Texas, which is already fighting on those fronts, is poised to become a commercial hub of cyber security and a magnet for the high-paying jobs that the industry brings.

Obama to meet with Canadian PM Harper next week at White House

ASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday to discuss economic issues.

Merkel urges euro fiscal union to tackle debt crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Europe is working towards setting up a "fiscal union", in a bid to resolve the eurozone's debt crisis.

Norwegian Economy Slows as Consumer Spending Growth Abates

Norway’s economy slowed in the third quarter as a threat to growth from Europe’s debt crisis damped consumer spending.