Business optimism highest for 22 years, says BDO survey

Business optimism in the UK is at its highest level in 22 years, a survey by business consultants BDO has found.

Here comes the euro zone growth data

LONDON (Reuters) - The euro zone and its constituent parts will report fourth quarter economic growth numbers at the end of the week, offering policy makers at the European Central Bank a needed snapshot of the bloc's underlying strength. Recent evidence has been mixed.

Eurozone: record German trade surplus, huge French deficit

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, notched up a trade surplus of 198.9 billion euros ($270 billion) in 2013, the highest since foreign trade data have been compiled.

Inflationary pressures easing in euro zone: ECRI

(Reuters) - Inflationary pressures in the euro zone remain in a downtrend, likely adding to fears about deflation in the 18-nation bloc, an indicator designed to predict cyclical trends showed.

Greek rescue fund worried stress test delays may deter investors

(Reuters) - Leaders of Greece's bank rescue fund are worried that lengthy talks with foreign creditors over a health check of the top four Greek banks may put off investors looking to take part in the privatization of one of the country's biggest lenders.