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The euro held near a three-week high against the dollar on Friday, heading for its biggest weekly gain in more than a year as investors debated the single currency's outlook while awaiting results of European bank stress tests.

The euro held near a three-week high against the U.S. dollar on Friday, heading for its biggest weekly gain in more than a year as results of Spain's bond auctions eased worries about the European debt crisis.

Gold firmed to near a one-week high on Thursday as the euro struggled to sustain gains and shares slipped on uncertainty over the pace of economic recovery in the United States.

Moody's cut Greece's credit rating to junk status on Monday over risks to an EU/IMF bailout package, highlighting persisting doubts over the country's ability to exit a severe debt crisis.

Moody's, citing risks on an EU/IMF bailout package, cut Greece's credit rating to junk status on Monday, pushing the euro down, although analysts expect little market impact from the widely expected cut.

Chinese inflation quickened to a 19-month high in May, but a moderation of growth in factory output and capital spending eased worries for some analysts that the world's third-largest economy could boil over.

Jerome Kerviel described his extreme trader past on the first day of his long-awaited trial as judges unpick his role in a 4.9 billion euro ($6.6 billion) trading loss that threatened to bring down Societe Generale.

Stock index futures pared early gains on Tuesday, pointing to a mixed open as lingering fears over Europe's debt crisis hit the region's stocks and eclipsed soothing comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Manufacturing grew for a 10th straight month in May and construction spending notched its fastest pace in nearly 10 years in April, suggesting the U.S. economy will add jobs and weather Europe's debt storm.

The euro fell to a 4-year low against the dollar on Tuesday as fears the euro zone's debt crisis could spread to its banking system hit the single currency, while deteriorating sentiment supported the greenback.

Societe Generale Chief Executive Frederic Oudea defended his role at an annual shareholder meeting Tuesday evening and promised a rebound in 2010 as concerns persisted over the French bank's prospects.

Single-family home prices were unchanged in March from February, but fell in the first quarter on renewed price pressure, Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller home price indexes showed on Tuesday.

Single-family home prices were unchanged in March from February, but fell in the first quarter under renewed pressure before federal aid for buyers faded away, Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller home price indexes showed on Tuesday.

Japan's economy grew 1.2 percent in the first quarter, the biggest expansion in three quarters, on stimulus-driven consumption and solid exports to Asia, but market turmoil from the European debt crisis clouded the outlook.

The pace of the U.S. economic rebound may be slowing, manufacturing data suggested on Monday, as concerns grow about the impact of Europe's debt crisis on global growth.

The pace of the U.S. economic rebound may be slowing, manufacturing data hinted on Monday, as concerns grow about the impact of Europe's debt crisis on global growth.

The number of workers filing for jobless benefits fell only slightly last week, suggesting the unemployment rate will remain elevated even as recovery in the labor market builds steam.

The number of U.S. workers filing for jobless benefits fell only slightly last week, suggesting the unemployment rate will remain elevated even as recovery in the labor market becomes entrenched.

The trade deficit hit its widest point in 15 months in March as a broadening economic recovery boosted demand for foreign goods, with a rise in exports and imports seen as a sign of growing global demand.

Employment grew at the fastest pace in four years in April as businesses ramped up hiring, suggesting the economic recovery was growing less dependent on government support.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday as investors looked for buying opportunities after a sell-off that has driven the S&P 500 down 3 percent for the week.

French bank Societe Generale pegged its exposure to Greek sovereign debt at 3 billion euros ($4 billion) for the first time on Wednesday after weeks of market fears over the debt-stricken country.

U.S. economic growth probably slowed in the first quarter, data is expected to show on Friday, but resurgent consumer spending should offer evidence of a sustainable recovery.

Worries about the impact of fraud charges against Goldman Sachs rattled stock markets on Monday, sending investors in search of less speculative currencies and boosted government bonds.

Thomas Cook , Europe's second-biggest travel firm, said on Friday it had raised over $1 billion through new sterling and euro bond issues with the proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes.

The U.S. trade deficit with China narrowed to its lowest level in nearly a year in February, while the nation's overall trade gap widened as strengthening domestic demand triggered a surge in imports.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, helped in part by easing worries over sovereign debt after euro zone finance ministers approved a massive aid plan for debt-stricken Greece.

The number of U.S. workers filing for jobless aid unexpectedly shot higher last week but did not alter the view labor markets are recovering as the jump reflected Easter holiday volatility.

Euro interbank lending rates were steady on Thursday as the European Central Bank held interest rates at record lows and gave some details on how new lending rules would work. Benchmark sterling rates were also unchanged as the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at a record low of 0.5 percent ahead of next month's general election.