The Bank of Japan said it was growing slightly more optimistic about the economy and financial conditions on Thursday, likely bringing it a step closer towards phasing out some of its measures to support corporate funding. But record deflation, rising job losses and weak capital spending may complicate the debate on the timing for exiting
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The fundamental credit outlook for the Italian insurance market is negative, in line with the negative outlook for the overall European insurance market, according to Moody's Investors Service. Unlike other European markets, the negative outlook for Italian insurance is driven primarily by structural changes to the nature of the sector and only partly by the
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The European Union will support maintaining policiesthat poured trillions of dollars into economies and call on a G20 meeting for progress on trade talks to help boost a recovery, a draft policy document said. Leaders are due to discuss coordinating the withdrawal of economic stimulus packages, bank regulation, climate change and trade at a meeting
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U.S. stocks rose slightly on Wednesday on gains in commodity prices and renewed merger and acquisition activity. U.S. industrial production rose for the second straight month in August, while higher gasoline costs pushed up consumer prices, reinforcing hopes a recovery was underway. "It's particularly encouraging to see the manufacturing sector of the economy recover," said
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Facebook is making enough money to cover its costs and now has 300 million users, the world's largest social networking site said on Tuesday, proving the Internet's newest star industry can be a viable business. Facebook is now generating enough cash to cover its operating expenses, as well as the capital spending needed to maintain
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A rich-nations recovery from the deepest recession since the 1930s is taking hold, although the latest Reuters economic outlook also shows tame inflation expectations and no rush by policymakers to hike interest rates. Monthly surveys of around 200 economists across the United States and Europe show upward revisions to growth forecasts for the current quarter
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Higher gasoline costs pushed up U.S. consumer prices in August while industrial output increased for a second consecutive month, according to data on Wednesday that reinforced hopes the economy was finally on the mend. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent last month after having been flat in July, a touch above market expectations for
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European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso won a strong mandate to combat Europe's economic crisis by gaining a clear majority in the European Parliament on Wednesday for a second five-year term. The centre-right leader clinched a resounding victory with the backing of 382 of the assembly's 736 deputies, securing the absolute majority he had sought
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U.S. consumer prices rose in August from July on a spike in gasoline costs, the Labor Department said on Wednesday, but the underlying trend pointed to muted inflation pressures. Analysts said the risk of inflation remained low as the economy crawled out of its worst recession in 70 years. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4
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European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso secured a second five-year term on Wednesday in a vote at the European Parliament. Of the assembly's 736 deputies, 382 voted for the 53-year-old centre-right leader and 219 opposed. The rest abstained or did not take part in the vote in the French city of Strasbourg. Barroso, the only
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