EU plans to streamline but not change key budget rules

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission wants to streamline the European Union's complex rules governing economic policy-making, but won't change the two key laws that sharpened budget policy control during the debt crisis, a top official responsible for the euro zone said.

Euro zone inflation dips; Italian jobless hits record

Euro zone inflation fell again in November amid expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) could try to bolster the region's economy by announcing further stimulus measures.

Euro zone economic sentiment rises slightly in November

(Reuters) - Morale in the euro zone rose for the second straight month in November as a pick-up in industry sentiment just outweighed increased pessimism among consumers, offering a tentative sign that the bloc is avoiding outright stagnation.

Fears that ‘dangerous’ Switzerland referendum could spark gold rush

The Swiss like referendums: there were 11 last year and there have been nine more this year, on subjects ranging from who pays for abortions to whether the state should buy a certain type of new fighter aircraft.

Poland's Belka concerned zloty will rise against euro

(Reuters) - Polish central bank head Marek Belka is worried that the zloty will rise against the euro, a move that would hamper business and could affect interest rate policy, he told Reuters on Monday.

Euro zone yields hit lows: Is ECB trumping reality?

It's hard to believe it's just a few years since countries like Ireland and Spain had to go cap-in-hand to international lenders - at least if you look at their bond yields.

Euro zone business output fails to meet forecasts

Private-sector output in the euro zone failed to live up to expectations for November, fueling concerns that the region's economic recovery is faltering.

Euro falls against the dollar after ECB expands asset purchases

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The euro extended its losses against the dollar Friday after the European Central Bank began purchasing asset-backed securities, expanding its quantitative easing regimen as inflation expectations for the eurozone continued to dim.

George Osborne backs down over EU cap on bankers’ bonuses

George Osborne has conceded defeat in his attempt to overturn the EU cap on bonuses after a senior legal advisor at the European court of justice rejected his arguments.

EU still considering fining France over budget rules

(Reuters) - EU officials are considering fining France for failing to cut its budget deficit, although the euro zone's second biggest economy, a driving force in the creation of the shared currency, could yet be spared the unprecedented punishment.

Eurosceptics bring censure motion on EU chief over tax

(Reuters) - The European Commission faces a censure motion in the European Parliament next week after Eurosceptic lawmakers united to condemn the role its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, played in Luxembourg tax schemes.

UK houses slip from record highs, adding to signs of a cooling market

UK house prices slipped back from their record highs in September, according to official figures that add to evidence the property market is coming off the boil.

Draghi Says ECB Measures May Entail Buying Government Bonds

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi explicitly cited government-bond buying as a policy tool officials could use to stimulate the economy if the outlook worsens.

The $375 billion Europe wants to invest but doesn't have

(Reuters) - New European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is preparing a 300 billion euro ($375 billion) investment plan he will present as a cornerstone of efforts to revive an ailing economy.

Europe Takes Aim at Deals Created to Escape Taxes

LONDON — American companies have plowed more money into the Netherlands than any other country in the world — for five years running.

Euro zone grows faster than expected in third quarter

(Reuters) - Euro zone economic growth was stronger than expected in the third quarter, preliminary data showed on Friday, as France beat market expectations and Germany steered clear of a recession.

ECB warned euro zone inflation, growth to be lower than expected

(Reuters) - Professional forecasters have cut their outlook for euro zone inflation and growth, underlining a trend that could prompt the European Central Bank to take more action to kick-start the region's flagging economy.

Euro zone industry output rises slightly in September

(Reuters) - Output at euro zone factories rose in September, lifted by machinery and energy, but the increase was slightly less than expected and highlighted how few cars and televisions Europeans are buying as the recovery falters.

European Stocks Extend Five-Week High as Vodafone Gains

European stocks rose, extending their highest level in more than five weeks, as companies from Vodafone (VOD) Group Plc to Henkel AG rallied on better-than-estimated financial results and improving forecasts.

Euro zone sentiment recovers slightly in November to -11.9

(Reuters) - Sentiment in the euro zone recovered slightly in November after three months of decline as investors took heart that a more dynamic global economy propped up by the United States and Japan could lift the currency bloc, a survey showed on Monday.

Osborne Accused of Smoke and Mirrors Over EU Payment

U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne hasn’t fooled the British public into thinking he won a reduction in a payment demanded by the European Union, the opposition Labour Party said.

EU court backs Spain's tax breaks for foreign acquisitions

(Reuters) - Spain has won backing from a European Union court for tax breaks intended to help its companies buy stakes in foreign firms, dealing a blow to EU regulators' campaign against tax deals they view as illegal subsidies.

Euro zone backs ESM credit line for Greece after bailout exit

(Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers backed on Thursday a precautionary credit line for Greece after the country exits its bailout at the end of the year, in a bid to balance the need to reassure investors with the demands of domestic Greek politics.

German Factory Orders Rise Less Than Forecast as Growth Stalls

German factory orders (GRIORTMM) climbed less than forecast in a sign the euro area’s largest economy may struggle to grow in the second half of the year.

Poland Holds Main Rate in Surprise as Outlook Improves

Poland’s central bank left its main interest rate unchanged today, surprising analysts and suggesting its economic outlook has improved after last month’s bigger-than-expected reduction.

Euro crisis firms German power, 25 years after Berlin Wall

PARIS: "We beat the Germans twice and now they're back," then British prime minister Margaret Thatcher reportedly said after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, expressing her fears a reunited Germany would grow to dominate Europe.

Hypocrisy: EU seeks aid from WTO for Russian sanctions that hurt their economy

The most important thing to remember about economic sanctions is that they are used by a nation against another to achieve political, not financial goals.

Russia’s Surprise Rate Increase Fails to Stem Ruble Drop

The ruble tumbled the most since 2011 after a larger-than-forecast increase of Russia’s key interest rate failed to ease concern that the economy will remain hobbled by sanctions and capital flight.

Euro zone inflation edges up to dim chance of new ECB action

(Reuters) - Inflation in the 18 countries sharing the euro edged up slightly in October, reinforcing the view that the European Central Bank will hold fire on any additional policy action at its meeting next week.

Spain’s economic recovery gathers momentum

Spain’s economic recovery gathered momentum between July and September, with growth for a fifth consecutive quarter. The economy grew by 0.5% in the third quarter, according to the country’s statistics office.