ECONOMY & MARKETS

This week, the two largest economies will have political transitions, three central banks will meet, and Greece's parliament is set to vote on key reforms.

Japan’s leading index, a composite index based on 12 economic indicators designed to predict the future direction of the economy, fell in September from the previous month, indicating a continuing decline in the country's economic condition.

The Philippines' rate of inflation continued to decrease in October from the previous month, indicating that the country’s inflationary pressures are well contained, providing room for further monetary easing policy measures required to boost economic growth.

The U.S.'s rank has plummeted, while overall global prosperity has increased.

The fall in the headline ISM services index follows the small rise in the ISM manufacturing index reported last week.

India's service sector recorded its slowest growth in six months as the economic slowdown in the U.S. and Europe resulted in a slump in new orders, the latest HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index data released Monday show.

Indonesia’s economy continued to grow as expected in the third quarter compared to the same period last year.

China's services activity continued to expand in October but growth was slower than that in the previous month, indicating that the economic growth momentum is on track.

First, the U.S. must help every person hurt by Hurricane Sandy. Second, the nation must end its gasoline/diesel supply vulnerability.

China's non-manufacturing activity rose in October compared to that in the previous month, decreasing the concerns over the slowdown in the economic growth of the country.

NBC will air "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together," a one-hour live benefit telethon Friday night. Proceeds will go to the relief efforts in Sandy's aftermath.

The better-than-expected pace of job creation in October is still not enough to make a dent in the unemployment rate.

The Bank of Japan has assured that it will continue to ease the monetary policy to help the country overcome deflation and return to a sustainable growth path.

Japan's monetary base rose in October compared to that in the previous month, indicating that the monetary easing policies are leading to an increase in the amount of currency in circulation, which in turn results in reviving economic growth.

Total economic damage from Superstorm Sandy could reach $50 billion, Eqecat forecasters said.

The U.S. private sector created a better-than-expected 158,000 jobs in October; jobless claims fell last week and productivity rose as expected.

A positive jobs report would undoubtedly be hailed by President Obama as justification for his re-election; the reverse, the opposite.

India’s manufacturing sector growth improved 0.1 percent in October from the 10-month low in September, aided by an increase in new orders, a survey by HSBC showed.

South Korea’s manufacturing activity contracted at a slower rate in October compared to that in the previous month, indicating that the country’s economy is showing the signs of recovery.

China's manufacturing activity in October expanded after last two months of contraction giving indication that the country’s economy is reviving the growth momentum.

Rising euro zone unemployment in September plus high inflation doesn't bode well for consumer spending for rest of 2012.

Japan’s manufacturing activity contracted in October to an 18-month low, increasing concerns about the slowdown in the economic growth of the world's third largest economy.

South Korea’s industrial output rose in September compared to that in the previous month, ending the period of contraction for the last three months, indicating that there is hope that the country’s economy is reviving in spite of the soft global demand.

Although the worst is yet to come for many on the Northeast, Hurricane Sandy has already devastated low-lying areas and coastal cities. Most dramatically, it is being reported that Atlantic City, New Jersey is basically underwater.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy is likely to cause economic losses of up to $20 billion and with the losses noticeable but temporary.

Economists vary on how much destruction they think Hurricane Sandy will cause. While it’s never good to have consumers sitting at home not spending, recovery purchases could be quite large.

Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram unveiled a fiscal consolidation road map Monday, intending to cut the country’s fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2017 from the current 5.8 percent, hoping that the Central Bank of India will support the government initiative with rate cuts.

The U.S. employment situation summary Friday will carry the most weight, because it will be the last jobs report before Election Day.