EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly higher open Monday as investors maintained a watchful mode waiting for decisions from meetings between Greek and European leaders this week to discuss reform measures needed to tackle the economic crisis in Greece.

European markets were mixed Monday as investors remained watchful ahead of the meetings between the Greek and other European leaders this week to discuss measures to tackle the economic and financial instability plaguing Greece.

Asian stocks fell Monday as it became apparent to investors that Europe's policymakers were still lingering on taking decisive action to contend with the euro zone debt crisis.

Most Asian markets fell Monday as investor confidence was weighed down by the lack of stimulus measures from policymakers to support the global economy and regain the growth momentum.

Asian stocks ended mixed last week as market players continued to wait for policy makers to come up with bold stimulus measures to boost the weakening global economy.

European markets rose Friday as investor sentiment turned positive amid hopes that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would step up measures to alleviate the debt burden faced by the euro zone and revive the economic growth momentum.

Most of the Asian markets rose Friday as investor confidence was lifted after German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed her country's commitment to support measures to alleviate the debt crisis faced by the euro zone.

Shares firmed Friday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced support for the European Central Bank's efforts to contain the euro zone's debt crisis, soothing investor nerves and prompting them to scale back safety bids.

Gold prices are set for a 12th consecutive year of gains despite posting the largest quarterly drop since 2008 in the second quarter, a view likely shared by the World Gold Council, and billionaire investors George Soros and John Paulson.

European markets were mixed Thursday as investors remained cautious waiting for policymakers to announce monetary easing measures which could stop the weakening of the euro zone economy and revive growth momentum.

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors maintained a watchful mode awaiting monetary easing measures from policymakers around the world to tackle the weakening of the global economic growth.

Asian shares steadied Thursday as investors took to the sidelines, waiting for more clues over the timing and extent of any further stimulus to tackle the euro zone's debt crisis and support global growth.

Most of the European markets rose Tuesday as investors were hopeful that the ECB will soon announce stimulus measures as the GDP data from Germany and France indicate that the euro zone economy continues to falter.

Asian stock markets ended with gains last week as sentiment continued to improve on hopes that the European Central Bank would shortly take policy action to lower the peripheral bond yields of struggling nations such as Italy and Spain.

Asian markets gained this week on buoyed investor confidence with indications of an improving U.S. economy and the hopes of an announcement of stimulus measures by China to regain the economic growth momentum.

Asian stock markets declined for the first time in five days Friday as weaker-than-expected Chinese trade data stoked fears of a growth slowdown in the world's second largest economy.

Most of the Asian markets rose Thursday as hopes for monetary easing measures to be announced by China grew following reports that the country's inflation slowed down in July compared to the previous month.

A front-page article in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale attacked Germany’s handling over the ongoing euro crisis.

U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Wednesday as investor sentiment was weighed down by lack of stimulus measures from policy makers around the globe to rejuvenate the faltering economic growth momentum.

European markets fell Wednesday as investors remained concerned that there were no monetary easing measures from policymakers to boost the economy even after the increasing debt burden faced by the euro zone.

Most of the Asian markets rose Wednesday as investor confidence continued to be lifted by hopes that the European Central Bank will take actions to reduce the debt pressure faced by Spain and Italy.