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Most European markets fell Thursday as investor sentiment continued to be negative over increasing concerns of the faltering global economic situation and deepening debt burden of the euro zone.

Crude oil prices lowered slightly and hovered above $85 a barrel in Asian trade Thursday, as investors opted for caution ahead of the Chinese GDP data.

Asian shares barely budged Thursday as the U.S. Federal Reserve appeared to put off taking more aggressive stimulus steps until economic conditions worsen, offering investors few reasons to take risks with second-quarter earnings painting a globally gloomy picture.

Newly released minutes of the U.S. Central bank's June 19-20 Federal Open Market Committee meeting were being taken by the stock market as indicating unwillingness to engage in further monetary easing.

U.S. stock index futures point to higher opening Wednesday, but investors remain watchful amid concerns that the sluggish global economy and the euro zone debt burden will hurt the earnings of companies.

It's going to be very, very dovish.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York may have known as early as August 2007 that the setting of global benchmark interest rates was flawed. Following an inquiry with British banking group Barclays Plc (NYSE: BSC) in the spring of 2008, it shared proposals for reform of the system with British authorities.

Most Asian markets rose this week as investor confidence was boosted by expectations of stimulus measures from central banks globally to regain the economic growth momentum.

While American politicians such as U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., are pushing to expand federal tax breaks for small businesses, the U.K. government has already announced a move to help early-stage businesses find new means of financing: tax relief for private investors.

Although Friday's closely watched June jobs report missed expectations, analysts are looking on the bright side: Income and hours worked both rose and the country's job market is still growing, despite global turmoil.

Asian stock markets declined Friday as investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. employment data due later in the day while major central bank?s actions to stimulate the global economy failed to calm market jitters.

To some extent, monetary easing has been accommodated because of stable-to-lower inflationary pressures.

CEO Robert Diamond's ouster from Barclays (NYSE: BCS) raises questions about whether Wall Street's doyen, Jame Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), might be next to go, especially as his bank's problems mount.

The U.S. labor market has lost a step since spring and the trend of lackluster job growth will likely continue into June.

U.S. stock index futures point to a mixed opening Tuesday amid hopes that the Federal Reserve will announce stimulus measures to tackle the faltering economy and revive growth.

Asian markets rose Tuesday as investor confidence was boosted by expectation for stimulus measures from central banks globally.

Asian shares inched up on Tuesday as manufacturing data around the world highlighted the drag on growth from the protracted euro zone debt crisis, raising expectations for the Federal Reserve to take further steps to underpin the fragile economy.

Manhattan community leaders began pressing Sunday for the cage around the iconic Charging Bull statue in the middle of New York's financial district to be removed.

While this week will be interrupted midway by the Fourth of July holiday, the barbecues and fireworks are unlikely to take away from the importance of Friday's June nonfarm payrolls report. Monday's ISM manufacturing index will also be in focus.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday handed down its historic ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, largely upholding the law. But many fear that the ruling will result in a reduction in hiring and may become a further drag on our already struggling economy.

Disappointed by the lack of aggressive action by the U.S. Federal Reserve during the meeting of its powerful rate-setting committee last week, and expecting little more than rehashed promises from the leaders of Europe this week, pessimistic market-watchers are turning to once again guessing when the clock atop the Eurozone time-bomb will finally run to 0.