Malaysia Growth Cools as Pressure Builds to Boost Confidence

Malaysia’s economy expanded the least in almost two years after a new consumption tax curbed private spending, adding pressure on policy makers to revive confidence in a nation facing political turmoil and a weakening currency.

Federal Reserve draws criticism after mistakenly releasing rate forecast

Staff economists at the Federal Reserve expect a quarter-point US interest rate increase this year, according to forecasts the Fed mistakenly published on its website in a gaffe that drew criticism of its ability to keep secrets.

Auditor Warns of Risks From Local Debt in China

SHANGHAI — The head of China’s national audit office warned on Monday that the country was facing growing risks because of a sharp rise in local government debt and poor controls over borrowing by investment companies set up by municipalities, provinces and other bodies.

The world should be wary: Japan’s economic woes are contagious

Japan’s surprise descent into recession is going to have big repercussions. It means the abandonment of a planned increase in sales tax. It will lead to the country’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, calling a snap election.

Taiwan GDP Growth Misses Estimates After Food Safety Concerns

Taiwan’s economy grew at a slower pace than expected last quarter as concern over food safety damped spending at restaurants.

US grows at annual rate of 3.5% in third quarter

The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5% in the July-September quarter, the Commerce Department has said.

South Korea's president warns of long-term economic stagnation risk

(Reuters) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye warned the economy is at risk of falling into long-term stagnation and urged for speedier handling of economic law bills in parliament.

Shrinking Russian economy adds to fears of full-blown recession

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's economy has contracted in annual terms for two months in a row, the Economy Ministry said on Friday, adding to concerns that Russia may be heading for recession as western sanctions over Ukraine bite.

Putin’s Trade Blow Throws Finland’s Exporters Into Shock

Some of Finland’s biggest exporters have been thrown into survival mode as they struggle to work out how to cope with Russian import bans unveiled yesterday.

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.

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.

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.

Russia confirms sharp fall in growth

Russia's economy slowed sharply in the first three months of 2014 as the Ukraine crisis slammed business confidence and investment.

UK economy grows by 0.8% in first quarter

The UK economy grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2014, according to the latest figures. It marks the fifth consecutive period of GDP growth - the longest positive run since the financial crisis.

Fed bond buying twice as effective on growth as BoE's: research

(Reuters) - Bond purchases by the U.S. Federal Reserve have been twice as effective at boosting economic output as those by the Bank of England, research by a BoE policymaker showed on Thursday.

Russia Sees Euro, Dollar Investments at Risk in Ukraine Backlash

Sanctions over Ukraine may threaten Russia’s investments in assets denominated in euros and U.S. dollars, Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said, urging the use of the nation’s wealth funds for domestic projects.

US GDP grew 2.6% in Q4

Economic growth in the United States grew faster than previously estimated in the fourth quarter of last year helped by stronger consumer spending, the U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday.

Italy must wait to see if reform efforts affect budget goals: minister

(Reuters) - Italy will have to wait to judge whether planned structural reforms will affect its ability to meet strict European Union budget limits, Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said on Monday.

Japan fourth-quarter GDP revised down to +0.2 percent quarter on quarter

(Reuters) - Japan's economy grew 0.2 percent in October-December from the previous quarter, government data showed on Monday, revised down from a preliminary 0.3 percent expansion due to slower growth in capital spending and private consumption.

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.