Gold Advances as Data Clouds Rate Outlook Before FOMC Meeting

Gold rebounded from the lowest level in five weeks as conflicting U.S. data clouded the outlook for higher rates before Federal Reserve policy makers meet this week and investors boosted holdings of the metal. Silver surged.

Australia's central bank keeps rates low amid moderate growth

(Reuters) - Australia's central bank kept interest rates at record lows for the 12th straight policy meeting on Tuesday and seemed content to stay on the sidelines for a while to come as the economy wrestles with a waning mining boom.

Double trouble: China property launches to deepen inventory overhang, price declines

(Reuters) - Property launches in China are set to surge in the latter half of the year with developers sticking to their schedules despite mounting inventories, spelling double trouble for a market hammered by months of falling prices.

Chancellor says 200,000 homes could be built on brownfield land by 2020

Chancellor George Osborne claimed on Friday that 200,000 new homes could be created by 2020 by accelerating development of disused industrial sites.

UK manufacturing, mortgage data point to more balanced recovery

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's economic recovery is showing signs of a healthier balance after data on Monday suggested some of the heat is coming out of the housing market while manufacturing remains strong.

U.S. economic growth could top 3 percent in second quarter: Fed's Lockhart

(Reuters) - The U.S. economy could grow 3 percent or more in the second quarter of this year and the housing market is likely to pick up again after recent sluggishness, a U.S. Federal Reserve official said on Sunday.

Americans still worried about their financial future

Most Americans believe that the Great Recession is over, according to MONEY magazine's new national survey.But a Great Insecurity seems to have emerged in its wake.

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.

China's banks warned to be prudent in setting rates

BEIJING: Chinese banks took control of setting loan interest rates on Saturday as the country's central bank warned them to be prudent and alert to credit risks.

Fed survey: US economy picked up at end of year

WASHINGTON (AP) — Holiday shopping, strong auto sales and a recovering housing market helped boost the U.S. economy from the middle of November through early January, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday.

Canada's Ivey PMI rises in December, but worries persist

TORONTO (Reuters) - Purchasing activity in Canada rose modestly in December, according to Ivey Purchasing Managers Index data released on Monday, but the reading failed to impress economists as Canada's economy struggles to grow.

Canada November inflation still well below target

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian inflation likely remained tame in November as gasoline prices fell and economic growth remained sluggish, keeping pressure off the Bank of Canada to resume raising interest rates.