China's official PMI seen hitting eight-month low

(Reuters) - China's factory activity likely expanded only slightly in February, a Reuters poll showed, dropping to an eight-month low that would indicate a modest slowdown is continuing.

UK GDP: Investment fuels hopes of balanced recovery

Hopes for a stable and sustained recovery were boosted today as official figures showed the economy becoming less reliant on consumer spending after a surge in business investment.

Harsh weather tests optimism over U.S. economy

(Reuters) - Unusually cold weather will take a bite out of U.S. economic growth this quarter, but a rebound seems likely on the horizon and expectations for stronger growth this year have not changed.

G20 pledges to add $2 trillion to global economy

The largest global economies have pledged to install policies that will add $2 trillion to the world economy over the next five years.

Rate of UK unemployment decline slows – but there are more falls to come

The latest unemployment figures are a bit of a mixed bag. In the final three months of 2013, the number of people classified as jobless fell by 125,000.

Senior German official brands country's trade surplus 'unfair'

(Reuters) - A leading German foreign ministry official has called the country's massive trade surplus "unfair", joining others in Europe and the United States in criticizing Germany for not boosting its domestic demand and dismantling global imbalances.

Iran's most sensitive uranium stockpile falls after nuclear deal

(Reuters) - The size of Iran's most contested uranium stockpile has declined significantly for the first time in four years following a landmark nuclear deal with world powers in November, the U.N. atomic watchdog reported on Thursday.

G-20 ready to take action to underpin global growth: Saccomanni

(Reuters) - Italy's outgoing Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni on Wednesday said market turmoil in emerging markets is a threat to global growth and the world's 20 major economies are ready do what is necessary to underpin output.

Bank of Japan holds fire despite soft GDP, expands loan programs

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan maintained its expansionary monetary policy on Tuesday and extended special loan programs to help buoy economic growth, signaling its resolve to keep the positive mood generated by premier Shinzo Abe's reflationary policies from fading.

India interim budget: Indirect taxes on cars cut

India's Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram has cut indirect taxes on cars and mobile phones in an attempt to boost economic growth.

BoE's Carney: jobs, incomes, wages to be factored into any rate rise

(Reuters) - The Bank of England will only start to increase interest rates when a range of measures suggest the economy is operating at closer to full capacity, central bank governor Mark Carney said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

Hopes pinned on private sector as Libya economy slumps

Tripoli (AFP) - Small businesses are prospering in Libya's major cities even as the economy at large is being throttled because of security problems and industrial action which has shrunk lifeline oil revenues.

Japan speeds up stimulus as tax hike looms

Japan said Friday it is moving to speed up the impact of a $50 billion stimulus package aimed at countering any slowdown from a looming sales tax hike.

Housebuilders boost UK construction sector output by 2%

Booming housebuilders pushed output across the construction sector up 2% in December last year, according to revised official figures, as rising house prices and cheap loan rates encouraged builders to expand the number of house starts.

Cold weather depresses retail sales in January

(Reuters) - Retail sales fell unexpectedly in January and the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week, in the latest signs of slowing economic growth early in the first quarter.

Euro zone industry stumbles in December, but recovery still seen on track

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone industrial output fell more than expected in December, data showed on Wednesday, but probably not by enough to have stopped economic growth from picking up slightly in the last three months of the year.

Rouhani Seeks Economic Fix as Iran Commemorates Revolution

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had foreign-policy successes to showcase when he spoke in Tehran’s Azadi Square today to mark the 35th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution.

China Signals Volatility in Money Markets Will Persist

China’s central bank signaled that volatility in money-market interest rates will persist and borrowing costs will rise, underscoring the risk of defaults that could weigh on confidence and drag down growth.

Bank of England's method of setting interest rates needs reviewing

Mark Carney has some explaining to do on Wednesday. Last August, the governor of the Bank of England announced the arrival of a shiny new model for setting interest rates in the UK.

France to invest EUR 1 bn to update cyber defences

PARIS: France unveiled plans on Friday to bolster long-neglected defences against cyber attacks, with 1 billion euros ($1.36 billion) of investment foreseen to bring the country's technology up to speed with NATO partners.

Draghi comments at ECB news conference

Following are comments by ECB President Mario Draghi at a post-meeting news conference.

UK tax system is 'punishing success' says Institute for Fiscal Studies

Forcing Britain’s highest earners to foot a greater share of the nation’s tax bill is putting the Government’s long-term finances at risk, a leading economic think tank has warned.

Japan Real Wages Fall to Global Recession Low in Abe Risk

Japan’s base wages adjusted for inflation last year matched a 16-year low in 2009 when the world was gripped by recession, posing a risk to consumer spending as the nation girds for a higher consumption tax.

Ukraine on brink as turmoil hits currency

Ukraine is on the brink of economic disaster as its currency plunges to a four-year low amid political turmoil and a tug-of-war between Russia and the European Union.

Corruption across EU 'breathtaking' - EU Commission

The extent of corruption in Europe is "breathtaking" and it costs the EU economy at least 120bn euros (£99bn) annually, the European Commission says. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem has presented a full report on the problem.

Banks Could Still Face Tougher Capital Requirements to Prevent Crises

FRANKFURT — Ever since the end of the 2008 financial crisis, the world’s leaders have searched for ways to shore up the banking system.

Obama to tout economic security proposals Wednesday in Md., Pa.

Fresh off his State of the Union address, President Obama plans to discuss new ways to build economic security for the middle class and expand opportunity for all so that every American can get ahead.

Japan inflation rises at fastest pace in over five years

Japan's consumer prices have risen at their fastest pace in more than five years, marking more progress in the country's battle against deflation.