ECONOMY & MARKETS

Foreign direct investment inflows into China fell in October compared to that in the same month last year, as investors, who are concerned about the renewed debt crisis in the euro zone and also increasing trade relations with Japan, cut down on spending.

The Bank of Japan Tuesday kept its key policy rate unchanged and refrained from announcing any monetary easing measures in spite of the political pressures to pursue aggressive stimulus steps for reviving the economic growth momentum.

Counting down to Thanksgiving.

Thailand’s economic growth slowed down in the third quarter compared to that in the previous quarter, indicating that the weak global demand continues to affect the country’s economy.

Sans the hysteria, the U.S. budget situation is like a living room getting cooler, not a "fiscal cliff."

China is at a crossroads: Will the country's new bosses drive it toward critical changes in the economy or on a road to nowhere?

With Japan's gross domestic product contracting in the third quarter compared to that in the previous quarter, investors feel that there is an urgent need to take measures for enhancing the growth potential of the economy.

The Ikea Group has apologized for using forced labor in the former German Democratic Republic to manufacture certain products. The company acknowledged it was aware of the forced-labor conditions and profited from the practice.

A $500 million settlement for an animal abuse case has been reached on Friday. The case involved animal abuse in a slaughterhouse which led to 2008's meat recall in the United States.

White House officials are discussing a plan to delay and diminish the so-called fiscal cliff, according to a published report.

Hostess had set a 5 p.m. EST deadline for striking union employees to return to work. That deadline has passed on Thursday and Hostess says an announcement about liquidation is expected on Friday.

A rebound in agricultural production following a 2011/12 drought probably buoyed Argentina’s gross domestic product in the third quarter.

BP agreed to plead guilty to 11 felony criminal charges and one misdemeanor charge, and to pay the fine over five years.

The Philippines’ industrial output rose in September compared to that in the same month last year, indicating that the country’s economic growth momentum is continuing.

Twinkies may be able to survive an atomic bomb but it may not survive bankruptcy. Hostess has given the striking bakers an ultimatum; come back to work or Hostess will be forced to liquidate.

Protesters across Spain Wednesday seemed as focused on demonstrating against the government as on harassing strike-breakers.

It was the first contraction in three months. But don't blame the weather, unless you mean the climate in Washington.

The euro zone is in its worst downturn since the early days of 2009.

India’s wholesale price index rose at a slower rate in October than that in the previous month, showing signs of a gradual decline in price pressure to make room for monetary easing.

South Korea’s unemployment rate grew at a slower pace in October than expected, moderately raising the optimism that the economy of the country is on the path of recovery.

Investor confidence in Germany fell suddenly and unexpectedly for the Month of November according to a new survey conducted by the ZEW Institute, suggesting that the Eurozone crisis has finally hit Germany.

Data releases this week are expected to show some of the economic impact caused by Sandy.

Japan’s economic indicators have deteriorated since Sept., suggesting the nation has entered its 5th recession in 15 years.

Japan’s industrial output declined in September compared to that in the previous month, indicating that the weak global demand is continuing to have its impact on the country’s economy.

Congress heads back this week to an abbreviated session. Lawmakers will address the so-called fiscal cliff. Here's what's at stake.

India’s industrial output fell in September compared to that in the same month last year, indicating that the weak global demand is continuing to have its impact on the country’s economy.

Japan’s tertiary industry activity index rose in October, indicating that the total value of services purchased by businesses is rising, which could give the much required support to the country’s faltering economy.

Japan's gross domestic product contracted in the third quarter compared to that in the previous quarter due to the soft global demand and the weakening domestic consumption in the world's third biggest economy.

Natural disasters don't “help” an economy, but rebuilding efforts can provide a modest boost to economic growth for a while.