Britain's economic prospects brightest in more than a decade, survey finds

Britain's economic prospects are the brightest they have been in more than a decade and optimism among consumers has surged to its best level in nine years, according to separate reports published on Friday.

Asian shares at one-year high, bonds fly high on ECB hopes

(Reuters) - Global shares flirted with an all-time peak on Thursday while the euro touched its weakest in more than two months on bets the European Central Bank would unveil new stimulus measures next week.

EU to place efficiency at heart of energy security plans

Brussels could propose tougher energy efficiency targets for member states by September, the EU’s energy chief Gunther Oettinger revealed today.

ECB goes on 300 million euro spending spree for bank watchdog

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank will spend 300 million euros ($410 million) this year and next in building an elite group to monitor top banks, with the lion's share spent on generous pay for many of its staff.

Stocks rise, euro drops as EU and Ukraine election results come in

European stock markets moved higher Monday as election results rolled in from the European Union and Ukraine. Germany's DAX index led the way with a 1.3% rise.

Hungary Economic-Sentiment Index Drops from 16-Year High

Hungary’s economic-sentiment index dropped in May after turning positive for the first time in almost 16 years in April, as business and consumer confidence deteriorated after Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s re-election.

The eurozone is starting to recover. Now the new phase of its crisis begins

Brace yourself for the next phase in the eurozone crisis, due to come around any time soon. That might seem an odd thing to say.

Spain wins third credit upgrade as economy brightens

Madrid (AFP) - Standard and Poor's boosted Spain's credit rating on Friday, hailing signs of economic recovery despite massive unemployment in the eurozone's fourth-biggest economy.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Euro zone crisis propels German immigration to 20-year high

BERLIN (Reuters) - Net immigration to Germany leapt by over 18 percent to a 20-year high in 2013, fuelled largely by migrants from euro zone debt-crisis states Italy and Spain as well as a continued influx of Poles, data from the Statistics Office showed on Thursday.

GLOBAL ECONOMY-Euro zone business stays strong, China mending

LONDON/BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Private business activity in the euro zone grew at just under its fastest pace in three years this month, while contraction in China's vast manufacturing sector slowed to its weakest pace this year, surveys showed on Thursday.

Interest rate hikes would hit British car industry: UK Hyundai CEO

(Reuters) - A series of even small rises in British interest rates would be a big blow to the country's car industry, the CEO of Hyundai UK (005380.KS) told Reuters on Thursday.

Ireland’s Rating Raised by Moody’s as Debt Burden Eases

Ireland’s rating was raised for the second time in less than six months by Moody’s Investors Service as the economy stabilizes and concern that the euro-region may be under threat eases.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Greece denies plan for retroactive tax on foreign bondholders

(Reuters) - Greece's government on Thursday denied it had instituted a retroactive tax on foreign holders of Greek bonds, and revoked a tax document that spooked investors and sent yields to near two-month highs.

Pound Bulls Unfazed by Carney’s Tone Say Rally Isn’t Over

Pound bulls still have reason to be optimistic following the Bank of England’s attempts to temper interest-rate expectations, according to firms from Bank of New York Mellon to Mizuho Bank Ltd.

ECB Channels Trichet’s Strong Vigilance to Signal Easing

The European Central Bank is preparing multiple measures against too-low inflation that could be used as soon as next month, policy makers said.

Pensions staff axed after exodus from annuities

The troubled pensions provider Just Retirement yesterday admitted it will be forced to cut jobs across its 800-strong workforce due to radical reforms in March’s Budget.

IMF's Lagarde calls for more ECB stimulus: paper

(Reuters) - Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has repeated calls for more stimulus from the European Central Bank to keep at bay the risk of persistently low inflation in the euro zone.

Italy's Renzi says to use EU presidency to push for budget flexibility pact

FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) - Italy will propose offering European Union member states that undertake structural reform more flexibility on budget rules when Rome assumes the presidency of the 28-member bloc later this year, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Friday.

Double ratings boost for Portuguese economy

Lisbon (AFP) - The Portuguese economy has received a double boost as ratings agency Moody's raised its debt rating one notch to Ba2, hours after fellow agency Standard & Poor's upgraded the country's credit outlook.

Lithuanian President Cites Russia Threat in Election Race

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite used the last debate before for the May 11 election to focus on Russia’s expansionism, which is fueling concern in the Baltic countries.

Draghi, worried by strong euro, says ECB poised to act as soon as June

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank is ready to take action next month to boost the euro zone economy if updated inflation forecasts merit it, its president said on Thursday, warning outsiders not to pressure the bank into action.

Euro Rises on Upbeat Economic Data

The euro surged to its highest level against the dollar in seven weeks after a run of upbeat European manufacturing and services data.

Euro zone businesses off to bumper start in second quarter: PMI

(Reuters) - Euro zone businesses had a solid start to the second quarter of the year with activity picking up at its fastest pace in almost three years, surveys showed on Tuesday, suggesting a broad-based recovery is taking hold in the bloc.

German manufacturing sector expands for 10th straight month: PMI

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's manufacturing sector grew for a tenth consecutive month in April, helped by rising output and orders, a survey showed on Friday, suggesting this important branch of Europe's largest economy started the second quarter on a strong footing.

French PM Valls says euro too strong

(Reuters) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Saturday the euro was too strong and that President Francois Hollande would take initiatives to boost growth and employment after the May 22-25 European elections.

Spain Leads Bond Rally With Yields Falling to Records

The government bonds of Spain, Italy and Ireland rose this week, pushing the nations’ 10-year yields to record lows, as improving economic data and the prospects of additional European Central Bank stimulus buoyed demand.

Euro Unemployment Holds Near Record Amid Factory Gains

The euro-area unemployment rate held near a record, even as manufacturing grew at the fastest pace in three months, adding to mixed signals about the 18-nation currency bloc’s recovery.

Greece eyes extension of rescue loans, more bond issues

(Reuters) - Greece will formally propose stretching the maturity of its international rescue loans from about 30 years to up to 50 as part of a push to make its debt sustainable, a senior Greek finance ministry official told Reuters on Wednesday.

'UK should get out of the EU,' says former French PM

Britain should leave Europe because it is killing the European Union dream, a former French Prime Minister has said.