Germans’ Backing of EU Rises to Record as Economy Bucks Gloom

Germans’ support for the European Union rose to a record along with satisfaction about the economy, contrasting with anti-EU groundswells in neighboring countries.

Euro-Area Economic Confidence Increases More Than Forecast

Euro-area economic confidence increased more than economists forecast in December, buoying up policy makers as they grapple with the legacy of the currency bloc’s longest recession.

Euro zone economic morale jumps, easing pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - Euro zone economic sentiment rose more than expected in December and inflation expectations picked up, data showed on Thursday, easing some pressure on the European Central Bank to loosen monetary strings further.

Euro zone unemployment at 12%, while U.S. improving

New reports out of the U.S. and Europe Wednesday show a stark divergence between unemployment trends in America and the euro zone.

Italy service sector shrinks for second month in Dec - PMI

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's service sector contracted for the second month running in December, a survey showed on Monday, evidence the economy is still struggling to emerge from its worst recession since World War Two.