Gold Prices Struggle to Stay Near $1, 700

Gold prices fell Wednesday on negative economic news from China and Europe plus concerns that the world's No. 1 economy is barely advancing.

Euro Area Faces Recession as Breakup Risk Remains, E&Y Says

Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) --The euro-area economy is likely to slip back into a recession and its leaders’ new plan to end the debt crisis hasn’t completely eliminated the risk of a breakup of the currency region, according to Ernst & Young LLP.

Speculation on France's Rating Persists

PARIS—French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Wednesday that a credit-ratings downgrade wouldn't be "cataclysmic," further fueling market expectations that the government is preparing for an imminent loss of its cherished triple-A ranking.

Euro’s woes boost sterling

The euro fell to a fresh nine-month low against the British pound on Tuesday.

European summit: Now it's up to the ECB

Judging Europe's fifth attempt at a comprehensive solution to the euro crisis requires reading the minds of Mario Draghi and the other leaders of the European Central Bank.