Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
Japan Says It May Buy Euro Zone Debt to Aid Ireland
By Marlene Y. SatterJapan said Tuesday that it might use its euro zone reserves to purchase joint euro bonds issued to support Ireland.
January 10, 2011
ECB Buys Portuguese Bonds, Takes Action on Spain, IrelandAfter a Sunday report that said Portugal was under increasing pressure to accept a bailout from the EU and the IMF, traders said that the ECB intervened, buying up 5- and 10-year bonds on the secondary market.
January 10, 2011
Euro Slips Over Debt Worries as Sarkozy Meets With ObamaThe euro lost ground on Monday, falling to its lowest level since mid-September after a Sunday report that said Portugal was under increasing pressure to accept a bailout from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
January 09, 2011
Political Deadlock Threatens Belgium’s EconomyThe king of Belgium on Sunday is considering which steps to take in order to break a political deadlock that threatens the nation’s economic health.
January 09, 2011
Portugal Said to Be Pressured to Take BailoutA senior euro zone source was reported Sunday to say that France and Germany, as well as other euro zone nations, are pressuring Portugal to take a bailout, although Lisbon denies that such action is necessary.
January 07, 2011
Fed's Bernanke Tells Senate a 'Self-Sustaining' Recovery Is Taking HoldFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sketched a more optimistic view of the economy Friday but said the Fed's $600 billion bond-buying program is needed because unemployment will likely stay elevated for up to five more years.
January 07, 2011
Weak Bond Worries Dog EUThe announcement of a sale of bonds from Portugal on Thursday drove investor worries on Friday as concerns over demand surfaced in the market.
January 07, 2011
Unemployment Rate Falls, but Private Sector Hiring DisappointsThe nation's unemployment rate dropped to 9.4% last month, its lowest level in 19 months, but employers added 103,000 jobs in December, far below most analysts' expectations.