The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday expressed growing confidence that an economic recovery was building, even as it stuck to its commitment to keep borrowing costs near zero for an extended period.
U.S. stocks mostly eked out a gain on Wednesday, giving back a big slice of the day's advance after the Federal Reserve reiterated its intent to keep rates low, but gave investors few new reasons to boost holdings.
U.S. stocks briefly touched session highs on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said it would keep borrowing costs near zero for an extended period even though it expressed confidence the U.S. economic recovery was gaining momentum.
The Fed's monetary policy arm on Wednesday said it saw economic activity continuing to rise, noting a better housing sector, household spending.
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to reaffirm its intention to keep U.S. interest rates at ultra-low levels for a long time to support the economy, even as signs of recovery accumulate.
The Bank of Japan will keep interest rates near zero even as downside risks to the economy subside, the central bank governor said, reassuring investors its withdrawal from credit markets does not signal an exit from its ultra-easy monetary policy.
Federal Reserve officials meeting this week must weigh improving economic data against the risk, reinforced by a persistently weak job market, that a burgeoning recovery remains on shaky ground.
U.S. Federal Reserve officials meeting this week must weigh improving economic data against the risk, reinforced by a persistently weak job market, that a burgeoning recovery remains on shaky ground.
The U.S. economy may have turned a corner after the deepest recession in some 70 years, but Federal Reserve policymakers appear to be in no rush to raise interest rates.
U.S. consumers cut spending in September and turned gloomier this month, underscoring the fragility of the economy's recovery even as signs emerged that manufacturing may be picking up.
U.S. consumer sentiment slipped this month as Americans fretted about personal finances and focused on paying down debt, a survey showed on Friday.
U.S. consumers cut spending in September and turned gloomier this month, underscoring the fragile nature of the economy's recovery even as signs emerged that manufacturing activity may be picking up.
Consumer prices in the euro zone fell year-on-year for a fifth straight month in October, data showed, but they are expected to start growing in November as oil costs rise above year-earlier levels.
U.S. consumer spending fell in September after four months of gains as a government program to boost auto purchases ended, adding to fears that economic growth could stumble without government support.
U.S. consumer spending fell in September after four months of gains as a government program to boost auto purchases ended, adding to fears that economic growth could stumble without government support.
Employment costs in the United States rose 0.4 percent in the third quarter, in line with Wall Street expectations, as the longest recession in decades continued to eat away at worker pay and benefits, Labor Department data showed on Friday.
U.S. government debt prices added small gains briefly on Friday after data showed personal spending fell and income posted no growth in September, supporting the view of a sluggish economic rebound.
Britain's top share index looked set to end the month crawling into positive territory by midday on Friday as U.S. data from the previous session helped lift banks, offsetting weak commodities.
U.S. consumer spending fell in September for the first time in five months as the boost from a government auto incentive faded, data showed on Friday, adding to fears that consumers may be pulling back as they head into the last quarter of the year.
World stocks slid on Wednesday on worries about the pace of economic recovery after a dip in U.S. consumer confidence, while the Australian dollar fell as inflation figures pared bets on an aggressive rate rise.
Asian shares fell on Wednesday after a dip in U.S. consumer confidence revived worries about the pace of economic recovery, while the Australian dollar hit a two-week low as inflation data pared bets on an aggressive rate rise.
Asian shares fell on Wednesday after a dip in U.S. consumer confidence revived worries about the pace of economic upturn, while the Australian dollar eased as inflation data made investors reduce their bets on an aggressive rate rise.
