EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

U.S. stock index futures point to a higher open Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium where he is expected to announce another round of monetary easing.

European markets remained in the tight range Friday as investor confidence continued to be weighed down by fading hopes on the European Central Bank to announce policy measures to boost the euro zone economy and revive growth momentum.

European markets fell Thursday as investor sentiment was weighed down by concerns of economic and financial instability in Spain worsening the euro zone economy.

The Nikkei share average plunged Thursday on concerns that Ben Bernanke, the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman, will not announce imminent stimulus from the Fed in a key speech on Friday.

Asian shares hit a one-month low on growth concerns Thursday as investors await indications of further U.S. stimulus from the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s on Friday. Meanwhile, the major currencies were range-bound.

Asian shares eased and major currencies stayed range-bound Thursday as investors avoided betting on direction before a speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, with focus on whether there will be any hint about further U.S. stimulus.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly lower open Wednesday as investors remained cautious waiting for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to announce monetary easing measures at the Jackson Hole symposium later this wee

Will Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke launch QE3 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's annual Jackson Hole symposium, which will take place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1? Economists doubt it.

Private sector deposits fell by nearly 5 percent in July to €1.509, European Central Bank data showed, as public confidence in the banking system continued to plummet amid a worsening economic situation.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly higher open Tuesday as investors follow a waiting strategy anticipating that the Federal Reserve will soon announce stimulus measures to rejuvenate the economic growth.

Asian stock markets mostly ended lower Tuesday as investors await the central bankers' meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., to discuss monetary policy later this week.

Most of the European markets fell Tuesday as investors remained cautious waiting for the euro zone policymakers to come up with stimulus measures to rejuvenate the faltering economy.

Markets from stocks to currencies were caught in ranges Tuesday as investors waited for a gathering of central bankers and economists at Jackson Hole, Wyo., later in the week for clues over the Federal Reserve's potential easing options.

This month has been the busiest August on record for global corporate bond issuance as low-risk free yields on government bonds pushed investors to find better returns in corporate credit.

Asian stock markets ended lower Monday as concerns over the Chinese economic slowdown offset the expectations for more stimulus measures from the policy makers around world.

U.S. stock index futures point to a mixed open Monday as investors remained cautious waiting for the Federal Reserve to announce monetary easing measures to revive economic growth momentum.

Most of the European markets fell Monday as investors remained watchful waiting for policymakers around the world to announce stimulus measures to boost the faltering global economy.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced support for Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann on Sunday, saying she welcomed his warnings about the handling of the euro zone debt crisis and saw his influence within the European Central Bank as positive.

Most Asian markets ended on a negative note last week as disappointing economic reports on China and the euro zone revived concerns over the floundering global economy while the lack of stimulus measures from policymakers also weighed.

Most of the European markets fell Friday as investors were worried that the economic condition of the euro zone continued to weaken.

Spain is negotiating with euro zone partners over conditions for aid to bring down its borrowing costs, though the country has not made a final decision to request a bailout, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.