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.

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.

ECB covered bond buying plan starts with a whimper

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank spent 1.704 billion euros last week on covered bonds under a new purchase program with which it hopes to foster lending to businesses and thereby support the euro zone economy.

ECB's readiness to act again doesn't mean it should do so now: Weidmann

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank has moved toward a "quantitative easing philosophy" but should not automatically use its remaining policy tools right away, Governing Council member Jens Weidmann said.

ECB's Praet warns against reading too much into low take-up of TLTROs

(Reuters) - European Central Bank Executive Board member Peter Praet warned on Thursday against reading too much into the low take-up of the first round of four-year ECB loans, stressing that they are part of a broader policy package.

UK trade deficit widens in June, but construction recovers

Exports of British goods to countries outside the European Union fell to their lowest level since September 2011, coinciding with the pound hitting a near six-year high against the dollar.

Banks to return 3.7 billion euros in crisis loans to ECB next week

(Reuters) - Banks will return 3.712 billion euros ($5.05 billion) in long-term crisis loans to the European Central Bank next week, ECB data showed, after the ECB started to charge banks for holding their excess cash overnight and promised more long-term loans.

ECB policymakers say can do more if needed

(Reuters) - European Central Bank policymakers stressed on Tuesday that they could still do more to support the euro zone economy after last week announcing a package of measures to ward off the threat of deflation.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Draghi, worried by strong euro, says ECB poised to act as soon as June

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank is ready to take action next month to boost the euro zone economy if updated inflation forecasts merit it, its president said on Thursday, warning outsiders not to pressure the bank into action.

Euro to be 2013's top-performing major currency

NEW YORK: Although easing back on Tuesday, the euro remained on track to be the world's best-performing major currency this year, while the dollar looked set for its biggest annual gain against the yen since 1979.

France May Slip Back Into Recession

FRANKFURT — Hopes that the euro zone could be emerging from years of torpor suffered another setback on Thursday when an indicator of economic activity in the region slipped unexpectedly and suggested that France could be sliding back into recession.

Euro zone economy turns corner, but growth, inflation subdued: EU executive

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy will expand slightly more slowly next year than previously expected because of weaker private demand and investment and inflation will stay well below the central bank target over the next two years.

Crisis states lead way as euro zone's economic mood brightens

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Confidence in the euro zone economy grew by more than expected in May, with hope that the worst of the crisis may be over spreading to countries that have been on its frontline.

ECB's Draghi urges governments to solve crisis

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The president of the European Central Bank on Monday put pressure on governments to push ahead with plans for a closer European integration to address the crisis' core problems.

Relief in Spain, tension in Greece for euro zone

(Reuters) - The embattled euro zone cleared a major funding test on Thursday when Spain romped through a key bond sale, while signs pointed to only a mild recession for the 17-nation bloc.

ECB's Paramo says euro crisis won't end soon

The euro zone's debt crisis is far from over, European Central Bank Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo said on Friday and called for private sector help to ease Greece's debt problems.

On Thursday European Union leaders promised more money to help Greece stave off looming bankruptcy, provided its parliament enacts an austerity plan finalised in fraught last-minute talks with international lenders.