Politics poses biggest risk to euro zone endurance

PARIS (Reuters) - With the euro zone bond market back to irrational exuberance and economic growth returning slowly if unevenly, politics rather than economics now poses the biggest threat to the long-term endurance of Europe's single currency.

Russian companies prepare to pay for trade in renminbi

Russian companies are preparing to switch contracts to renminbi and other Asian currencies amid fears that western sanctions may freeze them out of the US dollar market, according to two top bankers.

Euro Bonds Surge on ECB Shock Waves

Euro-area government bonds surged this week, propelling yields across the currency bloc to record lows, as an unprecedented package of European Central Bank stimulus measures added fuel to this year’s rally.

Greek economy shrinks at slowest pace since 2008

(Reuters) - Greece's economy shrank in the first quarter at its slowest annual pace since late 2008 when its protracted recession began, data showed on Friday, supporting projections that Athens will emerge from a crippling six-year slump this year.

Euro-Zone Retail Sales Rose in April

Retail sales across the 18 countries that share the euro rose for the fourth straight month in April, and at the fastest year-to-year pace since early 2007.