EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

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.

he Markit Flash Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index, a measure of services and manufacturing order volumes, was 46.6 in August, down from 46.5 in July.

European markets rose Thursday as investors were hopeful ahead of the meetings between the Greek and other euro zone leaders this week to discuss measures to tackle the economic and financial instability affecting Greece.

European markets fell Wednesday as investors were disappointed to note that Japan returned to trade deficit in July, which was another indication of the weakening global economic condition.

Gold on Wednesday hovered near a 3-1/2 month high hit in the previous session, as investors remained hopeful the European Central Bank would soon take action to contain the region's debt crisis.

Most of the Asian markets fell Wednesday as investor confidence was weighed down by the report that Japan's trade deficit increased in July, raising more concerns about the faltering global economy.

Asian shares fell Wednesday morning after recent rally, but the euro held near a seven-week high on hopes the European Central Bank will act to rein in surging euro zone borrowing costs and policymakers will find ways to keep Greece on lifelines.

There's an almost-daft energy over Wall Street at the moment as stocks keep to four-year highs, a trend that hasn't kept analysts from warning that the party is about to be over.

Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors await the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and the outcome of the European leaders' discussions about the sovereign debt crisis in the region later this week.