Swiss deflation risk on radar screen for SNB: bank chairman

(Reuters) - Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Thomas Jordan vowed on Friday to take whatever steps were necessary to fend off deflation in the face of a weak global economy, worsening euro zone outlook and falling commodities prices.

Eurozone gripped by deflation fears as inflation rate hits five-year low

Fears that the eurozone could tip into outright deflation have been fanned as the inflation rate in the currency bloc hit a new five-year low of 0.3%.

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.

Euro zone inflation drops to lowest since 2009

(Reuters) - Euro zone inflation hit its lowest level since November 2009 in March, a shock drop that raises expectations the European Central Bank will take radical action to stop the threat of deflation in the currency bloc.

Euro Zone Inflation Rises to 0.9% as Jobless Rate Dips to 12.1%

FRANKFURT — The euro zone reached another milestone in its stumbling recovery Friday when the official unemployment rate fell for the first time since 2011.

Euro Zone Set to Keep Shrinking

LONDON--An indicator that has correctly recorded contractions in the euro zone suggests the currency area's economy shrank for a seventh straight quarter in the three months to the end of June, extending its longest postwar slump.

Canada rate hikes predicted despite tame inflation

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A drop in Canada's year-on-year inflation rate to an 18-month low in March will not delay interest rate hikes by the Bank of Canada, which is paying closer attention to economic growth, analysts said on Friday.