UNEMPLOYMENT

Borrowing by U.S. companies to buy equipment jumped in January from a year ago, though it slid from December's rush to close loans before year-end, and credit quality improved to pre-recession levels, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association said on Friday.

Greece formally launched a bond swap offer to private holders of its bonds on Friday, setting in motion the largest-ever sovereign debt restructuring in the hope of getting its messy finances back on track.

The Federal Reserve should only embark on a third round of large-scale bond purchases if the U.S. economy deteriorates and inflation drops, and we are not there yet, a top Fed official said on Friday.

Housing, the weakest of the three legs of the stool supporting the U.S. economy, is finally firming up, or so it seems to investors, economists, real estate agents and buildings after a string of heartening reports so far this year.

Lloyds will bear brunt of writedowns and restructuring costs, as it sells non-core businesses and cuts thousands of jobs.

Greece took its first step toward reaping urgently needed funds agreed in a 130-billion-euro rescue package Thursday as its parliament endorsed a bond swap for private holders of its debt.

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits last week held at the lowest level since the early days of the 2007-2009 recession, signaling that the battered labor market is healing.

With citizens of debt-burdened European countries growing more disillusioned over spending cuts and other austerity measures, it may not be long before hard-line parties opposed to such policies begin to siphon support.

Greece's parliament endorsed a debt swap with private bondholders on Thursday that forms the core of its 130-billion-euro bailout, despite new protests against tough budget cuts demanded in return for the rescue deal.

Greece's parliament endorsed a debt swap with private bondholders on Thursday that forms the core of its 130-billion-euro bailout, despite new protests against tough budget cuts demanded in return for the rescue deal.

Claims for jobless benefits held at 351,000 after falling for three straight weeks and the four-week moving average continued to decline. Economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates sooner if jobless claims stay near 350,000 per week or fall substantially.

The business sentiment survey in Germany Thursday strengthened expectations that Europe's largest economy is on its way to avoid a contraction in the first quarter this year, easing concerns over country slipping back into recession.

U.S. central bank officials have good reason to be skeptical about the strength of the economy: excessive optimism has caught them flat-footed before.

Stocks fell on Wednesday with the S&P 500 stalled near a 10-month-old high after weak data on Europe's business activity raised concerns about a recession.

Trade unionists, communists and pensioners angry at punishing spending cuts in Greece marched through central Athens on Wednesday as lawmakers set to work on legislation needed to secure payment of a second bailout for the debt-laden country.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday with the S&P 500 stalled near a 10-month-old high after weak data on Europe's business activity raised concerns about a recession.

When it comes to the debate on whether the United States is experiencing inflation, it is typically not a yes or no interchange. If you have read the first two parts (Part 1, Part 2) of my series on inflation, you are well aware that I am on the side that inflation is already upon us. My counterparts, typically, will not only disagree, but will also bring up the issue of deflation.

What can stop the progression toward $5 gas?

The climbing oil prices could undermine the U.S. economic recovery and it is an extremely disturbing report for President Barack Obama as it could hurt his re-election chances.

Eurozone finance ministers have approved the 130 billion euro ($171 billion) bailout package to Greece but this will not be good enough to solve the crisis faced by the named according to IHS Global Insight

Thousands of young Portuguese have migrated to Mozambique in recent years – reportedly as many as 120,000 in 2011 alone.