Economy
Jobless Claims in U.S. Decreased in Sign End to Payroll Reductions Nears The number of Americans filing
first-time claims for jobless benefits fell for a second week to
a level that indicates companies are nearing the end of payroll
reductions as the economy recovers.
Trade Deficit in U.S. Unexpectedly Narrows Imports of Oil, Autos Decline The trade deficit in the U.S.
unexpectedly narrowed in January as demand for foreign oil and
automobiles dropped.
Feldstein Says Euro's Declines Are a Result of `Panic Selling' Over Greece Harvard University Professor Martin
Feldstein said the euro’s 4.6 percent decline against the dollar
this year has been “panic selling” stemming from the financial
crisis in Greece.
China's February Inflation Accelerates, Adding Pressure for Stimulus Exit China’s inflation reached a 16-
month high, industrial output climbed and new loans exceeded
forecasts, adding to the case for the government to pare back
stimulus measures.
Swiss National Bank Keeps Benchmark Rate Near Zero as Economy Strengthens The Swiss central bank left its
benchmark interest rate near zero and reiterated its readiness
to sell the franc if needed to keep a lid on the currency.
Economy in U.S. to Cool as Stockpiles Give Way to Exports as Growth Driver Efforts to stabilize inventories
will contribute less to the U.S. economy in coming months,
leaving business investment and exports to propel growth,
according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.
Japan Fourth-Quarter GDP Expands 3.8%, Revised From 4.6% Reported Earlier Japan’s economy expanded less than
initially estimated in the fourth quarter as companies pared
spending and stockpiles as deflation deepened.
ECB's Mersch Says Euro-Region Economic Recovery Likely to Remain `Erratic' European Central Bank council
member Yves Mersch said the economic recovery in the 16 nations
that share the euro will probably be uneven.
Brazil Prosecutors Seek Tax Probe Against Central Bank President Meirelles Brazil’s Prosecutor General asked
the Supreme Court to pursue an investigation into alleged tax
crimes by central bank President Henrique Meirelles, which
analysts say may pose an obstacle to a possible run for elected
office this year.
India's Food-Inflation May Slow After Near 18% Gain for Six Straight Weeks India’s food-inflation rate stayed
at around 18 percent for a sixth week, a sign that farm prices
may have peaked and will start declining soon.
Latvia Elections May Hamper Austerity, Weigh On Credit Rating, Fitch Says Latvian elections this autumn
threaten to hamper government efforts to push through austerity
measures vital to its international bailout, burdening the
country’s credit rating, Fitch Ratings said.
Sack Says Fed Selling Assets Would Risk Sudden Increase in Long-Term Rates Brian Sack, the New York Federal
Reserve Bank’s markets chief, said shrinking the central bank’s
$2.3 trillion balance sheet quickly through sales of assets
risks a sudden rise in long-term interest rates.
New Normal Becomes Old Normal With Exports Spurring Growth in New U.S. Mix The “new mix” is out to topple the
“new normal” as the paradigm for America’s economic future.
Fed `Extended Period' Pledge Faulted as Inflexible by Four Policy Makers The Federal Reserve’s pledge to
keep interest rates close to zero for an “extended period” has
come under criticism from policy makers who say it’s restricting
their room to maneuver as the economy recovers.
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