Economy seen regaining muscle in second quarter

(Reuters) - U.S. economic growth likely regained steam in the second quarter as activity picked up broadly, which would bolster expectations for a stronger performance in the last six months of the year.

BP sees profits rise but warns of Russia sanctions risk

BP has warned that further sanctions against Russia could affect its business as it posted a rise in second quarter profits.

Many investors face Scotland exit risk unprotected

(Reuters) - Less than two months before an independence vote that could ultimately tear apart a G7 country, investors in financial markets seem largely unmoved.

Draghi Safety Net Becomes Blindfold to Risk as Bonds Soar

Two years since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi’s historic promise to defend his currency bloc, there are signs bond investors are growing too complacent under his protection.

Russia raises rates in move seen as arming for sanctions

(Reuters) - The Russian central bank unexpectedly raised interest rates on Friday, apparently preparing for possible further Western sanctions over Ukraine that could speed up capital flight from Moscow's already battered markets.

Spanish jobless rate below 25% for the first time in two years

The unemployment rate in Spain has fallen below 25% for the first time in two years, thanks to the beginning of a revival in the economy.

IMF Cuts 2014 Global Forecast After Slowdowns in China, U.S.

The International Monetary Fund lowered its outlook for global growth this year as expansions weaken from China to the U.S. and military conflicts raise the risk of a surge in oil prices.

Europe braced for any gas crisis as Russia sanctions escalate

Europe has enough spare capacity in liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet a large part of the region’s needs if Russia retaliates against the latest EU sanctions by restricting gas supplies.

Soros Chart Shows Euro-Yen Reaching 2008 High: Chart of the Day

The euro will surge to a six-year high against the yen by the end of 2014 as the European Central Bank isn’t printing money as fast as the Bank of Japan, according to Daiwa Securities Co.

China home prices fall again in June, stirring policy hopes

(Reuters) - China's new home prices fell in June from May for a second straight month and analysts forecast the falls would continue - sparking a surprise rally in Chinese property stocks as investors anticipated imminent government support.

EU call for views on U.S. trade deal draws huge response

(Reuters) - The European Commission's call for views on a contentious part of a planned EU-U.S. free trade deal has drawn almost 150,000 responses that will take months to process, a senior EU official said on Friday.

IMF's Lagarde says financial markets 'perhaps too upbeat' on Europe

(Reuters) - The head of the International Monetary Fund warned on Friday that financial markets were "perhaps too upbeat" because high unemployment and high debt in Europe could drag down investment and hurt future growth prospects.

Malaysia plane crash rattles US market

US shares ended sharply lower after geopolitical unrest unnerved investors.

Profit growth at Chinese state firms accelerates in H1

(Reuters) - China's state-owned firms enjoyed faster growth in their profits in the first six months of 2014, official data showed on Thursday, the latest indication that the economy is picking up as government stimulus measures kick in.

EU's Juncker wins approval with 'grand coalition' program

(Reuters) - Jean-Claude Juncker won a wide endorsement from the European Parliament on Tuesday to be the next head of the executive European Commission after setting out a "grand coalition" investment programme to help revive Europe's economy.

U.S. risks fiscal crisis from rising debt: CBO

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The U.S. risks a fiscal crisis if it doesn’t get large and continuously growing federal debt under control, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday.

US, China vow greater economic and security cooperation

BEIJING — The United States and China vowed today to improve their economic and security cooperation, saying they wouldn't let persistent differences over maritime claims, cyberhacking and currency hamper a relationship critical to global peace and prosperity.

Economy needs consumers to chip in

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The U.S. economy is revved up and ready to go by most measures except for, perhaps, the most critical one: The consumer.

Rate liftoff still not likely until second half of 2015: Fed's Lockhart

(Reuters) - Federal Reserve officials on Friday said U.S. labor markets remain slack and inflation unlikely to accelerate, damping any sense that recent strong jobs and other data may prompt the central bank to raise interest rates sooner than expected.

German cabinet clears way for Europe's banking union

(Reuters) - Germany's cabinet has approved a package of draft laws which effectively give the go-ahead to Europe's plans for banking union - its main confidence-building response to the crisis in the financial sector, a government source said on Wednesday.

UK economy growing solidly but exports and investment slip - survey

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's economy kept growing at a robust rate in the second quarter, but exports and business investment weakened, clouding the prospects for a balanced recovery, a major business survey showed on Tuesday.

European Stocks Little Changed as Espirito Santo Declines

European stocks were little changed as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent meeting and as Banco Espirito Santo SA led Portuguese stocks to this year’s low.

Greece Resists Troika on Third Bailout as Draghi Protests Delays

Greece fought off calls to consider a third bailout as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi warned that the pace of economic fixes is slowing, officials said after euro-area finance ministers met yesterday.

Turkey to keep economic policies and personnel under Erdogan presidency -officials

ISTANBUL/ANKARA, July 7 (Reuters) - Turkish officials say key economic ministers will stay in post if, as expected, prime minister Tayyip Erdogan becomes president next month, and they dismissed fears that policy would take a populist turn, jeopardising more than a decade of strong growth.

ECB’s Noyer says seems deflation risk has been avoided

(Reuters) - European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Christian Noyer said on Saturday it seemed that the risk of deflation had been avoided in euro currency zone, even if inflation remained too low.

Irish Economy Returns to Growth With 2.7% Surge

Ireland’s economy returned to growth in the first quarter as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Enda Kenny to ease austerity after years of spending cuts and tax increases.

Market Access, Currency Value to Top US-China Dialogue

WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew says the pace of economic reform and the need for further appreciation of China’s currency will be among the issues at next week’s (July 9, 10) Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing.

US non-farm payrolls: what the economists say

There was a sharper than expected rise in the number of jobs created in the US in June, at 288,000. Economists had forecast a more modest rise in non-farm payrolls of 212,000.

Housebuilding boosts UK construction again in June

An increase in housebuilding helped the UK construction industry to grow at its fastest pace for four months in June, a survey has suggested.

Security detail for Fed chairwoman irks neighbors

WASHINGTON—In the Georgetown gated community of Hillandale, residents live in secluded calm governed by some 50 pages of rules banning fences, motorcycles, certain paint colors, tree species and excess dogs and cats (no more than two total per household).

BIS: Central banks warned of 'false sense of security'

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has warned that ultra-low interest rates have lulled governments and markets "into a false sense of security".