JAPAN

U.S. industrial output edged up just 0.1 percent in May as supply chain disruptions from the earthquake in Japan disrupted auto production for a second straight month, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

The economy is facing a troubling mix of higher prices and weak growth.

U.S. core consumer inflation rose more than expected in May to post its largest increase in nearly three years, lifted by steep rises in motor vehicle and apparel prices.

Two minke whales were discovered with traces of radiation off the Japanese coast.

A closely watched measure of consumer prices logged its biggest rise in nearly three years in May and a regional factory gauge contracted this month, showing the economy facing a troubling mix of weakness and inflation.

Core consumer inflation rose at quickest pace in nearly three years in May and a regional manufacturing gauge contracted this month, underscoring the headwinds facing the economy.

Core consumer inflation rose at quickest pace in nearly three years in May and a regional manufacturing gauge contracted this month, underscoring the headwinds facing the economy.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Wednesday are: Netapp, Finisar, Owens-Illinois, E-Commerce China, Carnival, J.C. Penney, Sprint Nextel, United States Steel, Baker Hughes and Southwest Airlines.

U.S. companies are doing well but the country is faced with entrenched political divisiveness that makes reaching any kind of compromise on the budget deficit difficult, former IMF chief economist Raghuram Rajan said on Wednesday.

The euro came under fresh pressure in Asia on Wednesday as worry about euro zone debt intensified, prompting a move away from riskier assets which helped gold extend gains.

The euro came under fresh pressure in Asia on Wednesday as worry about euro zone debt intensified, prompting a move away from riskier assets which helped gold extend gains.

Corporate profit margins in the United States are likely to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future, despite concerns about an economic slowdown, former IMF chief economist Raghuram Rajan said on Wednesday.

A Japanese non-profit group that went to explore under the sea in hopes of finding missing Tsunami victims found a ghost town instead.

Consumers have not pulled back aggressively despite the recent slowdown in the economy, retail sales data showed on Tuesday, and falling gasoline prices should support growth in the months ahead.

It was supposed to be much smoother sailing by now.

Retail sales fell in May for the first time in 11 months, dragged down by a sharp drop in receipts from auto dealerships, according to a government report that could raise fears of a prolonged economic slowdown.

Retail sales fell in May for the first time in 11 months, dragged down by a sharp drop in receipts from auto dealerships, according to a government report that could raise fears of a prolonged economic slowdown.

Major economies, with the exception of the United States, are losing momentum as the outlook for growth worsens in European and developing countries, the OECD's leading indicator for April showed on Tuesday.

Berlusconi's conservative party suffered a major defeat in recent vote.

Commodities trader Glencore is not considering a bid for embattled miner ENRC, its chief executive said, dismissing reports of a takeover after it disappointed the market with its maiden first-quarter results.

An earless rabbit born near Japan’s crippled Fukushima plant has sparked panic that human babies in Japan may soon be born with mutations.