Economy News Headlines - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/economy/ Get the latest economy news headlines from Yahoo! News. Find breaking economy news, including analysis and opinion on top economy stories, photos and more.en-USCopyright (c) 2013 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reservedThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:58:03 -04005http://news.yahoo.com/economy/ http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/th/main_142c.gif<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/p-500-ends-flat-fed-sticks-easy-money-000228206.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/bY049W7Wmiier8j9zPZDvg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-31T174035Z_3_CBRE96T15AJ00_RTROPTP_2_NYSE-RESULTS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Traders work on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York in this file photo" align="left" title="Traders work on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York in this file photo" border="0" /></a>By Caroline Valetkevitch NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks jumped on Thursday, pushing the S&amp;P 500 above 1,700 for the first time, as data suggested the economy is still improving and as the Federal Reserve kept its stimulus plan in place. Stocks were broadly higher, with all 10 S&amp;P 500 sectors in the black, though growth-sensitive financials, industrials and consumer discretionary shares registered the biggest gains. JPMorgan Chase , Bank of America and Wells Fargo were among the companies giving the greatest boost to the S&amp;P 500. Shares of JPMorgan gained 1.6 percent to $56. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/p-500-ends-flat-fed-sticks-easy-money-000228206.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:58:03 -0400Reutersp-500-ends-flat-fed-sticks-easy-money-000228206<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/p-500-ends-flat-fed-sticks-easy-money-000228206.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/bY049W7Wmiier8j9zPZDvg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-31T174035Z_3_CBRE96T15AJ00_RTROPTP_2_NYSE-RESULTS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Traders work on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York in this file photo" align="left" title="Traders work on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York in this file photo" border="0" /></a>By Caroline Valetkevitch NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks jumped on Thursday, pushing the S&amp;P 500 above 1,700 for the first time, as data suggested the economy is still improving and as the Federal Reserve kept its stimulus plan in place. Stocks were broadly higher, with all 10 S&amp;P 500 sectors in the black, though growth-sensitive financials, industrials and consumer discretionary shares registered the biggest gains. JPMorgan Chase , Bank of America and Wells Fargo were among the companies giving the greatest boost to the S&amp;P 500. Shares of JPMorgan gained 1.6 percent to $56. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/senator-urges-obama-recommend-moving-g20-summit-outside-182405353.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/eDF1wgsg2YqqfzDEkFfKQA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T182405Z_1_CBRE9701F4900_RTROPTP_2_USA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York speaks at the Temple Emanu-El during the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York" align="left" title="U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York speaks at the Temple Emanu-El during the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York" border="0" /></a>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Charles Schumer urged President Barack Obama to retaliate against Moscow for granting asylum to accused national security leaker Edward Snowden by recommending that the upcoming G20 economic summit be moved outside of Russia. &quot;Russia has stabbed us in the back, and each day that Mr. Snowden is allowed to roam free is another twist of the knife,&quot; Schumer, the Senate&#039;s third-ranking Democrat, said in a statement. &quot;Given Russia&#039;s decision today, the president should recommend moving the G20 summit. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/senator-urges-obama-recommend-moving-g20-summit-outside-182405353.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:24:05 -0400Reuterssenator-urges-obama-recommend-moving-g20-summit-outside-182405353<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/senator-urges-obama-recommend-moving-g20-summit-outside-182405353.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/eDF1wgsg2YqqfzDEkFfKQA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T182405Z_1_CBRE9701F4900_RTROPTP_2_USA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York speaks at the Temple Emanu-El during the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York" align="left" title="U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York speaks at the Temple Emanu-El during the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York" border="0" /></a>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Charles Schumer urged President Barack Obama to retaliate against Moscow for granting asylum to accused national security leaker Edward Snowden by recommending that the upcoming G20 economic summit be moved outside of Russia. &quot;Russia has stabbed us in the back, and each day that Mr. Snowden is allowed to roam free is another twist of the knife,&quot; Schumer, the Senate&#039;s third-ranking Democrat, said in a statement. &quot;Given Russia&#039;s decision today, the president should recommend moving the G20 summit. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/jobless-claims-drop-5-1-2-low-123349005.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/aJVqLqs9rMmJHrBH.BqwKw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T154003Z_1_CBRE9700YWU00_RTROPTP_2_USA-ECONOMY-JOBS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Corporate recruiters gesture and shake hands as they talk with job seekers at a Hire Our Heroes job fair targeting unemployed military veterans and sponsored by the Cable Show, a cable television industry trade show in Washington" align="left" title="Corporate recruiters gesture and shake hands as they talk with job seekers at a Hire Our Heroes job fair targeting unemployed military veterans and sponsored by the Cable Show, a cable television industry trade show in Washington" border="0" /></a>By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Factory activity jumped to a two-year high in July and first-time applications for jobless benefits hit a 5-1/2-year low last week, bolstering views economic growth would accelerate in the second half of the year. The burst of strength in the economy as the third quarter started keeps on track expectations that the Federal Reserve will start reducing its monetary stimulus later this year. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/jobless-claims-drop-5-1-2-low-123349005.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:06:44 -0400Reutersjobless-claims-drop-5-1-2-low-123349005<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/jobless-claims-drop-5-1-2-low-123349005.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/aJVqLqs9rMmJHrBH.BqwKw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T154003Z_1_CBRE9700YWU00_RTROPTP_2_USA-ECONOMY-JOBS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Corporate recruiters gesture and shake hands as they talk with job seekers at a Hire Our Heroes job fair targeting unemployed military veterans and sponsored by the Cable Show, a cable television industry trade show in Washington" align="left" title="Corporate recruiters gesture and shake hands as they talk with job seekers at a Hire Our Heroes job fair targeting unemployed military veterans and sponsored by the Cable Show, a cable television industry trade show in Washington" border="0" /></a>By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Factory activity jumped to a two-year high in July and first-time applications for jobless benefits hit a 5-1/2-year low last week, bolstering views economic growth would accelerate in the second half of the year. The burst of strength in the economy as the third quarter started keeps on track expectations that the Federal Reserve will start reducing its monetary stimulus later this year. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-factories-rebound-best-growth-2-years-163453696.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/JqHtv_DNWkk002NQBOc7VQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/94fc74d9b7153719390f6a70670051b9.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="FILE - In this Tuesday, July 16, 2013, file photo, a covered vehicle sits in part of the new paint shop at Chrysler&#039;s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. The Institute for Supply Management issues its U.S. manufacturing index for July on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)" align="left" title="FILE - In this Tuesday, July 16, 2013, file photo, a covered vehicle sits in part of the new paint shop at Chrysler&#039;s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. The Institute for Supply Management issues its U.S. manufacturing index for July on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)" border="0" /></a>WASHINGTON (AP) ? U.S. factories revved up production, hired more workers and received a surge of new orders in July, helping them expand at the fastest pace in two years. The gains suggest manufacturing is rebounding and could provide a spark to economic growth.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/us-factories-rebound-best-growth-2-years-163453696.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 12:55:49 -0400Associated Pressus-factories-rebound-best-growth-2-years-163453696<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-factories-rebound-best-growth-2-years-163453696.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/JqHtv_DNWkk002NQBOc7VQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/94fc74d9b7153719390f6a70670051b9.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="FILE - In this Tuesday, July 16, 2013, file photo, a covered vehicle sits in part of the new paint shop at Chrysler&#039;s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. The Institute for Supply Management issues its U.S. manufacturing index for July on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)" align="left" title="FILE - In this Tuesday, July 16, 2013, file photo, a covered vehicle sits in part of the new paint shop at Chrysler&#039;s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. The Institute for Supply Management issues its U.S. manufacturing index for July on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)" border="0" /></a>WASHINGTON (AP) ? U.S. factories revved up production, hired more workers and received a surge of new orders in July, helping them expand at the fastest pace in two years. The gains suggest manufacturing is rebounding and could provide a spark to economic growth.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-draghi-holds-door-open-lower-rates-131053633.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/qoU9AoWCrrAcW7DCrEIfFw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/90e7c155b8933e19390f6a706700902b.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="President of European Central Bank, ECB, Mario Draghi speaks during a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs more stimulus. Draghi spoke Thursday after the ECB left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent. (AP Photo/Boris Roessler)" align="left" title="President of European Central Bank, ECB, Mario Draghi speaks during a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs more stimulus. Draghi spoke Thursday after the ECB left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent. (AP Photo/Boris Roessler)" border="0" /></a>FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ? European Central Bank President Mario Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs it to get out of recession.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-draghi-holds-door-open-lower-rates-131053633.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 12:39:36 -0400Associated Pressecb-draghi-holds-door-open-lower-rates-131053633<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-draghi-holds-door-open-lower-rates-131053633.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/qoU9AoWCrrAcW7DCrEIfFw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/90e7c155b8933e19390f6a706700902b.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="President of European Central Bank, ECB, Mario Draghi speaks during a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs more stimulus. Draghi spoke Thursday after the ECB left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent. (AP Photo/Boris Roessler)" align="left" title="President of European Central Bank, ECB, Mario Draghi speaks during a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs more stimulus. Draghi spoke Thursday after the ECB left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent. (AP Photo/Boris Roessler)" border="0" /></a>FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ? European Central Bank President Mario Draghi held the door open for another interest rate cut if the struggling euro area economy needs it to get out of recession.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-central-bank-makes-surprise-interest-rate-cuts-160019823.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/RwsHHbDQPRD_djjCnHXHbQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_ZA/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T161415Z_1_AJOE970193T00_RTROPTP_2_OZABS-EGYPT-RATES-20130801.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="(Blank Headline Received)" align="left" title="(Blank Headline Received)" border="0" /></a>By Patrick Werr CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt&#039;s central bank unexpectedly lowered its main overnight interest rate by 50 basis points at a monetary policy committee meeting on Thursday. Ministers appointed after the military removed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi from power on July 3 have said they will pursue an expansionist policy to get the economy running after 30 months of stagnation. But inflation rose sharply in the year to end-June and all 13 economists in a Reuters survey had forecast that rates would not change at Thursday&#039;s meeting. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-central-bank-makes-surprise-interest-rate-cuts-160019823.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 12:00:19 -0400Reutersegypts-central-bank-makes-surprise-interest-rate-cuts-160019823<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-central-bank-makes-surprise-interest-rate-cuts-160019823.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/RwsHHbDQPRD_djjCnHXHbQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_ZA/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T161415Z_1_AJOE970193T00_RTROPTP_2_OZABS-EGYPT-RATES-20130801.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="(Blank Headline Received)" align="left" title="(Blank Headline Received)" border="0" /></a>By Patrick Werr CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt&#039;s central bank unexpectedly lowered its main overnight interest rate by 50 basis points at a monetary policy committee meeting on Thursday. Ministers appointed after the military removed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi from power on July 3 have said they will pursue an expansionist policy to get the economy running after 30 months of stagnation. But inflation rose sharply in the year to end-June and all 13 economists in a Reuters survey had forecast that rates would not change at Thursday&#039;s meeting. ...</p><br clear="all"/>By Caroline Humer (Reuters) - Cigna Corp, which provides U.S. and overseas health insurance as well as disability and life insurance, reported a second-quarter profit that beat expectations on Thursday as medical costs fell and revenue rose. A weaker U.S. economy has forced people to cut back on medical services in the past few years, reducing insurers' payments on claims. Companies like UnitedHealth Group Inc, WellPoint Inc, and Aetna Inc have beaten expectations for the quarter because of this trend. Cigna's net income rose to $505 million, or $1.76 per share, from $380 million, or $1. ...http://news.yahoo.com/cigna-reports-higher-second-quarter-profit-low-medical-101716147.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 11:43:57 -0400Reuterscigna-reports-higher-second-quarter-profit-low-medical-101716147<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/tsx-may-open-higher-china-euro-zone-data-124645409.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/G7RMcrmD3O4KD_SetrE06Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T124645Z_1_CBRE9700ZHZ00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-MARKETS-CANADA-STOCKS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Toronto Stock Exchange logo is seen in Toronto" align="left" title="Toronto Stock Exchange logo is seen in Toronto" border="0" /></a>By John Tilak TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada&#039;s main stock index rose on Thursday, driven by strong economic data from China, Europe and the United States, as well as gains in bellwethers such as Suncor Energy Inc and Barrick Gold Corp after they reported results. An industry report showed that the pace of growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector accelerated in July to the highest level in two years as new orders surged, supporting the view the economy will pick up in the second half of the year. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/tsx-may-open-higher-china-euro-zone-data-124645409.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 11:14:43 -0400Reuterstsx-may-open-higher-china-euro-zone-data-124645409<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/tsx-may-open-higher-china-euro-zone-data-124645409.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/G7RMcrmD3O4KD_SetrE06Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T124645Z_1_CBRE9700ZHZ00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-MARKETS-CANADA-STOCKS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Toronto Stock Exchange logo is seen in Toronto" align="left" title="Toronto Stock Exchange logo is seen in Toronto" border="0" /></a>By John Tilak TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada&#039;s main stock index rose on Thursday, driven by strong economic data from China, Europe and the United States, as well as gains in bellwethers such as Suncor Energy Inc and Barrick Gold Corp after they reported results. An industry report showed that the pace of growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector accelerated in July to the highest level in two years as new orders surged, supporting the view the economy will pick up in the second half of the year. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-perks-elsewhere-gloomy-065849663.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/X1bO90JH1LpZQskGlBLf9w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T065849Z_1_CBRE9700JEA00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-GLOBAL-ECONOMY.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A labourer cuts scrap steel at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning province July 24, 2013" align="left" title="A labourer cuts scrap steel at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning province July 24, 2013" border="0" /></a>NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturing grew in July at its fastest pace in two years while European factories snapped a two-year run of declining output, suggesting a prolonged euro zone recession may be near its end. Output at British factories also surged last month, according to business surveys released on Thursday, while an index of China&#039;s massive manufacturing sector suggested the slowdown in the world&#039;s No. 2 economy may be stabilizing. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-perks-elsewhere-gloomy-065849663.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 10:57:03 -0400Reuterschina-factory-sector-perks-elsewhere-gloomy-065849663<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-perks-elsewhere-gloomy-065849663.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/X1bO90JH1LpZQskGlBLf9w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T065849Z_1_CBRE9700JEA00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-GLOBAL-ECONOMY.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A labourer cuts scrap steel at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning province July 24, 2013" align="left" title="A labourer cuts scrap steel at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning province July 24, 2013" border="0" /></a>NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturing grew in July at its fastest pace in two years while European factories snapped a two-year run of declining output, suggesting a prolonged euro zone recession may be near its end. Output at British factories also surged last month, according to business surveys released on Thursday, while an index of China&#039;s massive manufacturing sector suggested the slowdown in the world&#039;s No. 2 economy may be stabilizing. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/investors-look-ecb-guidance-economy-perks-011635685.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/GdEBvxu0tpyj6N9gQWsDyw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T135223Z_1_CBRE97012JE00_RTROPTP_2_ECB-RATES.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="European Central Bank President Draghi speaks during the monthly ECB news conference in Frankfurt" align="left" title="European Central Bank President Draghi speaks during the monthly ECB news conference in Frankfurt" border="0" /></a>By Eva Taylor and Sakari Suoninen FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank left interest rates at a record low 0.5 percent on Thursday and affirmed that they will remain there for some while to come and could yet fall further. ECB President Mario Draghi hinted that policy would not be tightened until well into next year at the earliest, although the central bank will give no time horizon for when rates might move. &quot;Our monetary policy stance ... provides support to a gradual recovery in economic activity in the remaining part of the year and in 2014,&quot; Draghi told a news conference. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/investors-look-ecb-guidance-economy-perks-011635685.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 10:35:35 -0400Reutersinvestors-look-ecb-guidance-economy-perks-011635685<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/investors-look-ecb-guidance-economy-perks-011635685.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/GdEBvxu0tpyj6N9gQWsDyw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T135223Z_1_CBRE97012JE00_RTROPTP_2_ECB-RATES.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="European Central Bank President Draghi speaks during the monthly ECB news conference in Frankfurt" align="left" title="European Central Bank President Draghi speaks during the monthly ECB news conference in Frankfurt" border="0" /></a>By Eva Taylor and Sakari Suoninen FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank left interest rates at a record low 0.5 percent on Thursday and affirmed that they will remain there for some while to come and could yet fall further. ECB President Mario Draghi hinted that policy would not be tightened until well into next year at the earliest, although the central bank will give no time horizon for when rates might move. &quot;Our monetary policy stance ... provides support to a gradual recovery in economic activity in the remaining part of the year and in 2014,&quot; Draghi told a news conference. ...</p><br clear="all"/>FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ? European Central Bank head Mario Draghi says economic survey indicators "have shown some further improvements from low levels" but is sticking to his message that interest rates will stay low for a good while yet.http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-rates-unchanged-amid-hopes-recessions-end-115241089.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 08:47:12 -0400Associated Pressecb-rates-unchanged-amid-hopes-recessions-end-115241089<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/boe-readies-guidance-push-under-wraps-now-030420190.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/awuP1SW17qaDAaNkUxzzOA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T112053Z_5_CBRE96U1S5D00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-BANKNOTE-GENDER.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, smiles during a television interview after a presentation for the concept design for the Bank of England&#039;s new ten pound banknote, at the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton" align="left" title="The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, smiles during a television interview after a presentation for the concept design for the Bank of England&#039;s new ten pound banknote, at the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton" border="0" /></a>By William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England kept its powder dry at a policy meeting on Thursday, leaving investors to wait for the expected announcement next week of a new strategy to get Britain&#039;s economy back to strength. At its second meeting under new governor Mark Carney, the central bank maintained interest rates at 0.5 percent and opted not to revive its bond-buying programme, as expected. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/boe-readies-guidance-push-under-wraps-now-030420190.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 08:28:12 -0400Reutersboe-readies-guidance-push-under-wraps-now-030420190<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/boe-readies-guidance-push-under-wraps-now-030420190.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/awuP1SW17qaDAaNkUxzzOA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T112053Z_5_CBRE96U1S5D00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-BANKNOTE-GENDER.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, smiles during a television interview after a presentation for the concept design for the Bank of England&#039;s new ten pound banknote, at the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton" align="left" title="The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, smiles during a television interview after a presentation for the concept design for the Bank of England&#039;s new ten pound banknote, at the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton" border="0" /></a>By William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England kept its powder dry at a policy meeting on Thursday, leaving investors to wait for the expected announcement next week of a new strategy to get Britain&#039;s economy back to strength. At its second meeting under new governor Mark Carney, the central bank maintained interest rates at 0.5 percent and opted not to revive its bond-buying programme, as expected. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-holds-interest-rates-economy-stabilizes-114742170.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YYBnzJyytLxjQqRMx8gAOQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T114742Z_1_CBRE9700WRO00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-ECB-RATES-DECISION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The Euro logo is reflected in the glasses of European Central Bank&#039;s (ECB) President Mario Draghi as he attends the monthly news conference in Frankfurt" align="left" title="The Euro logo is reflected in the glasses of European Central Bank&#039;s (ECB) President Mario Draghi as he attends the monthly news conference in Frankfurt" border="0" /></a>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank left its main interest rate unchanged at a record low of 0.50 percent on Thursday, as recent economic data has kindled hopes of a recovery taking hold this quarter. Euro zone private industry unexpectedly bounced back to growth in July. Factories increased output for the first time in well over a year, business surveys showed. Euro zone inflation was steady at 1.6 percent in July. The ECB&#039;s goal is just below 2 percent. The ECB also left the rate on its deposit facility at 0. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-holds-interest-rates-economy-stabilizes-114742170.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 07:47:42 -0400Reutersecb-holds-interest-rates-economy-stabilizes-114742170<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ecb-holds-interest-rates-economy-stabilizes-114742170.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YYBnzJyytLxjQqRMx8gAOQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T114742Z_1_CBRE9700WRO00_RTROPTP_2_CBUSINESS-US-ECB-RATES-DECISION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The Euro logo is reflected in the glasses of European Central Bank&#039;s (ECB) President Mario Draghi as he attends the monthly news conference in Frankfurt" align="left" title="The Euro logo is reflected in the glasses of European Central Bank&#039;s (ECB) President Mario Draghi as he attends the monthly news conference in Frankfurt" border="0" /></a>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank left its main interest rate unchanged at a record low of 0.50 percent on Thursday, as recent economic data has kindled hopes of a recovery taking hold this quarter. Euro zone private industry unexpectedly bounced back to growth in July. Factories increased output for the first time in well over a year, business surveys showed. Euro zone inflation was steady at 1.6 percent in July. The ECB&#039;s goal is just below 2 percent. The ECB also left the rate on its deposit facility at 0. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/bank-england-keeps-powder-dry-guidance-announcement-114137535.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/wmPVUImsYF.fhnARr3WcgA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T114137Z_2_CBRE9700UUG00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-DOWNGRADE-MOODYS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A bus passes the Bank of England in the City of London" align="left" title="A bus passes the Bank of England in the City of London" border="0" /></a>LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England made no changes at its second policy meeting under its new governor, Mark Carney, which ended on Thursday, keeping interest rates at 0.5 percent and leaving its bond-buying program on ice. The bank also made no announcement about an expected shift in strategy to help Britain&#039;s economic recovery, under which it could start providing guidance on how long interest rates are likely to stay at their record low. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/bank-england-keeps-powder-dry-guidance-announcement-114137535.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 07:41:37 -0400Reutersbank-england-keeps-powder-dry-guidance-announcement-114137535<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/bank-england-keeps-powder-dry-guidance-announcement-114137535.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/wmPVUImsYF.fhnARr3WcgA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T114137Z_2_CBRE9700UUG00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-DOWNGRADE-MOODYS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A bus passes the Bank of England in the City of London" align="left" title="A bus passes the Bank of England in the City of London" border="0" /></a>LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England made no changes at its second policy meeting under its new governor, Mark Carney, which ended on Thursday, keeping interest rates at 0.5 percent and leaving its bond-buying program on ice. The bank also made no announcement about an expected shift in strategy to help Britain&#039;s economic recovery, under which it could start providing guidance on how long interest rates are likely to stay at their record low. ...</p><br clear="all"/>LONDON (AP) ? Economic growth in the U.S. and tightening crude supplies helped push up oil prices Thursday.http://news.yahoo.com/oil-pushes-toward-106-us-growth-improves-053642733.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 07:41:23 -0400Associated Pressoil-pushes-toward-106-us-growth-improves-053642733LONDON (AP) ? The Bank of England has kept its monetary policy unchanged amid signs that the recovery in Europe's third largest economy is gaining momentum.http://news.yahoo.com/bank-england-leaves-policy-unchanged-110338208.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 07:03:38 -0400Associated Pressbank-england-leaves-policy-unchanged-110338208<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-struggles-big-firms-fare-better-052339831.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/g1_EfatUGIV61dPW0PWXtw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T105736Z_2_CBRE9700EZP00_RTROPTP_2_US-CHINA-ECONOMY-PMI.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A labourer walks past piles of steel coils at a steel wholesale market in Shenyang, Liaoning province July 15, 2013." align="left" title="A labourer walks past piles of steel coils at a steel wholesale market in Shenyang, Liaoning province July 15, 2013." border="0" /></a>By Aileen Wang and Kevin Yao BEIJING (Reuters) - China&#039;s factory activity was slightly stronger than expected in July, a government survey showed on Thursday, but analysts cautioned against rushing to a conclusion that the world&#039;s second-largest economy had arrested its slowdown. In contrast to the official report, a private survey focused on smaller firms suggested manufacturing remained under pressure in an economy that has slowed in nine of the past 10 quarters. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-struggles-big-firms-fare-better-052339831.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 06:57:36 -0400Reuterschina-factory-sector-struggles-big-firms-fare-better-052339831<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/china-factory-sector-struggles-big-firms-fare-better-052339831.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/g1_EfatUGIV61dPW0PWXtw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T105736Z_2_CBRE9700EZP00_RTROPTP_2_US-CHINA-ECONOMY-PMI.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A labourer walks past piles of steel coils at a steel wholesale market in Shenyang, Liaoning province July 15, 2013." align="left" title="A labourer walks past piles of steel coils at a steel wholesale market in Shenyang, Liaoning province July 15, 2013." border="0" /></a>By Aileen Wang and Kevin Yao BEIJING (Reuters) - China&#039;s factory activity was slightly stronger than expected in July, a government survey showed on Thursday, but analysts cautioned against rushing to a conclusion that the world&#039;s second-largest economy had arrested its slowdown. In contrast to the official report, a private survey focused on smaller firms suggested manufacturing remained under pressure in an economy that has slowed in nine of the past 10 quarters. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/hopes-ride-irans-rouhani-huge-task-ahead-103008260.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/b..81.5szyzpo9R8R11rew--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T103008Z_1_CBRE9700T6N00_RTROPTP_2_CNEWS-US-IRAN-ROUHANI.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani gestures to the media during a news conference in Tehran" align="left" title="Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani gestures to the media during a news conference in Tehran" border="0" /></a>By Jon Hemming DUBAI (Reuters) - A wave of optimism has swept Iran since Hassan Rouhani was elected president last month, but as he takes office on Sunday the moderate cleric has a monumental task to resolve the nuclear dispute, ease stringent sanctions and revive a failing economy. If that were not enough, he has to do this while trying to satisfy the demands of his reformist allies while outflanking the conservatives he defeated, but who still dominate parliament and are deeply embedded within the state. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/hopes-ride-irans-rouhani-huge-task-ahead-103008260.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 06:30:08 -0400Reutershopes-ride-irans-rouhani-huge-task-ahead-103008260<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/hopes-ride-irans-rouhani-huge-task-ahead-103008260.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/b..81.5szyzpo9R8R11rew--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T103008Z_1_CBRE9700T6N00_RTROPTP_2_CNEWS-US-IRAN-ROUHANI.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani gestures to the media during a news conference in Tehran" align="left" title="Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani gestures to the media during a news conference in Tehran" border="0" /></a>By Jon Hemming DUBAI (Reuters) - A wave of optimism has swept Iran since Hassan Rouhani was elected president last month, but as he takes office on Sunday the moderate cleric has a monumental task to resolve the nuclear dispute, ease stringent sanctions and revive a failing economy. If that were not enough, he has to do this while trying to satisfy the demands of his reformist allies while outflanking the conservatives he defeated, but who still dominate parliament and are deeply embedded within the state. ...</p><br clear="all"/>By Yimou Lee HONG KONG (Reuters) - Ports-to-telecoms conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, owned by Asia's richest man Li Ka-shing, reported on Thursday better-than-expected first-half profits, buoyed by a solid performance in European infrastructure and telecoms investments. Li, nicknamed "Superman" by local media for his deal-making savvy, plans to exit the mature Hong Kong supermarket business to focus on investing in European infrastructure and telecom assets as global economic woes drive down prices, analysts said. ...http://news.yahoo.com/hutchison-h1-profit-beats-forecasts-solid-overseas-performance-101642873.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 06:16:42 -0400Reutershutchison-h1-profit-beats-forecasts-solid-overseas-performance-101642873<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-commodities-china-pmi-dollar-off-6-061023841.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/jL0dJSRJj0kJUKEDRBxuxA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T063734Z_20_CBRE96S0FJA00_RTROPTP_2_MARKETS-JAPAN-STOCKS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks past a stock quotation board displaying various stock prices outside a brokerage in Tokyo" align="left" title="A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks past a stock quotation board displaying various stock prices outside a brokerage in Tokyo" border="0" /></a>By Richard Hubbard LONDON (Reuters) - World shares and oil rose on Thursday as signs of modest growth in the global economy raised the likelihood that major central banks will stick with policies aimed at supporting the recovery. Both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are likely to leave their loose policies unchanged at rate-setting meetings later in the day, echoing the Federal Reserve on Wednesday which gave no hints of changes to its stimulus plans. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-commodities-china-pmi-dollar-off-6-061023841.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 06:09:22 -0400Reutersasian-shares-commodities-china-pmi-dollar-off-6-061023841<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-commodities-china-pmi-dollar-off-6-061023841.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/jL0dJSRJj0kJUKEDRBxuxA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T063734Z_20_CBRE96S0FJA00_RTROPTP_2_MARKETS-JAPAN-STOCKS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks past a stock quotation board displaying various stock prices outside a brokerage in Tokyo" align="left" title="A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks past a stock quotation board displaying various stock prices outside a brokerage in Tokyo" border="0" /></a>By Richard Hubbard LONDON (Reuters) - World shares and oil rose on Thursday as signs of modest growth in the global economy raised the likelihood that major central banks will stick with policies aimed at supporting the recovery. Both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are likely to leave their loose policies unchanged at rate-setting meetings later in the day, echoing the Federal Reserve on Wednesday which gave no hints of changes to its stimulus plans. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/uk-factory-activity-roars-along-start-third-quarter-083049588.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/SxPGP6gWx6oyeaj.c4I02A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T084909Z_3_CBRE9700NNG00_RTROPTP_2_UK-PMI-MANUFACTURING-BRITAIN.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A wrench lies on a workbench at manufacturing firm Sigma UK in Hinckley" align="left" title="A wrench lies on a workbench at manufacturing firm Sigma UK in Hinckley" border="0" /></a>By Olesya Dmitracova LONDON (Reuters) - British manufacturing grew at its fastest rate in well over two years at the start of the third quarter, in a strengthening recovery that looks set to boost the economy, a survey showed on Thursday. The Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers&#039; Index (PMI) jumped to 54.6 in July from an upwardly revised 52.9 in June, its fourth straight month of expansion. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/uk-factory-activity-roars-along-start-third-quarter-083049588.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 05:52:46 -0400Reutersuk-factory-activity-roars-along-start-third-quarter-083049588<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/uk-factory-activity-roars-along-start-third-quarter-083049588.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/SxPGP6gWx6oyeaj.c4I02A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T084909Z_3_CBRE9700NNG00_RTROPTP_2_UK-PMI-MANUFACTURING-BRITAIN.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A wrench lies on a workbench at manufacturing firm Sigma UK in Hinckley" align="left" title="A wrench lies on a workbench at manufacturing firm Sigma UK in Hinckley" border="0" /></a>By Olesya Dmitracova LONDON (Reuters) - British manufacturing grew at its fastest rate in well over two years at the start of the third quarter, in a strengthening recovery that looks set to boost the economy, a survey showed on Thursday. The Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers&#039; Index (PMI) jumped to 54.6 in July from an upwardly revised 52.9 in June, its fourth straight month of expansion. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/djibouti-needs-diversify-economy-reduce-extreme-poverty-imf-093456341.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/iJYLPx9zJR2x7NYRE4pIGw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_ZA/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T093523Z_1_AJOE9700QND00_RTROPTP_2_OZABS-DJIBOUTI-ECONOMY-IMF-20130801.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A photographer takes pictures through a glass carrying the International Monetary Fund logo during a news conference in Bucharest" align="left" title="A photographer takes pictures through a glass carrying the International Monetary Fund logo during a news conference in Bucharest" border="0" /></a>DJIBOUTI (Reuters) - Djibouti&#039;s economy will grow 5 percent this year then accelerate towards 6 percent by 2016 but needs to diversify and tackle unemployment if it is to lift almost half its population out of extreme poverty, the IMF said. The tiny Red sea state, a key ally in the West&#039;s fight against militant Islam and piracy, also needs to push ahead with economic reforms, the International Monetary Fund said. &quot;The bulk of the population has benefited little from the recent economic growth,&quot; the IMF said late on Wednesday, adding that the economy grew 4.8 percent in 2012. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/djibouti-needs-diversify-economy-reduce-extreme-poverty-imf-093456341.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 05:34:56 -0400Reutersdjibouti-needs-diversify-economy-reduce-extreme-poverty-imf-093456341<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/djibouti-needs-diversify-economy-reduce-extreme-poverty-imf-093456341.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/iJYLPx9zJR2x7NYRE4pIGw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_ZA/News/Reuters/2013-08-01T093523Z_1_AJOE9700QND00_RTROPTP_2_OZABS-DJIBOUTI-ECONOMY-IMF-20130801.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A photographer takes pictures through a glass carrying the International Monetary Fund logo during a news conference in Bucharest" align="left" title="A photographer takes pictures through a glass carrying the International Monetary Fund logo during a news conference in Bucharest" border="0" /></a>DJIBOUTI (Reuters) - Djibouti&#039;s economy will grow 5 percent this year then accelerate towards 6 percent by 2016 but needs to diversify and tackle unemployment if it is to lift almost half its population out of extreme poverty, the IMF said. The tiny Red sea state, a key ally in the West&#039;s fight against militant Islam and piracy, also needs to push ahead with economic reforms, the International Monetary Fund said. &quot;The bulk of the population has benefited little from the recent economic growth,&quot; the IMF said late on Wednesday, adding that the economy grew 4.8 percent in 2012. ...</p><br clear="all"/>LONDON (Reuters) - Growth in British manufacturing picked up speed at the start of the third quarter and looked set to continue, taking the economy further away from the doldrums of last year. ECONOMISTS' COMMENTS BRIAN HILLIARD, SOCIETE GENERALE: "The driver is orders and output, 58 for output, 58.2 for orders - just amazing. What's the need for Carney to do anything? This is the question. "It still seems to be more domestic demand than exports... This is all good news. We have the other PMIs in the following days, but it's shaping up for Q3 to be stronger than Q2. ...http://news.yahoo.com/factory-growth-speeds-july-pmi-084909812.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 04:49:09 -0400Reutersfactory-growth-speeds-july-pmi-084909812MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told lawmakers on Thursday that his government would toughen up corruption laws and rules for the allocation of public contracts, in the wake of a corruption scandal. Rajoy earlier said that accusations against himself and the ruling center-right People's Party in the affair were false. He also said his government would carry on with an economic reform program and ruled out stepping down. ...http://news.yahoo.com/spain-pm-rajoy-says-toughen-corruption-laws-082434962.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 04:24:34 -0400Reutersspain-pm-rajoy-says-toughen-corruption-laws-082434962HONG KONG (AP) ? Chinese manufacturing remained weak last month with small and mid-sized private businesses suffering a bigger share of the pain, two surveys indicated Thursday, adding to an uncertain outlook for the world's No. 2 economy.http://news.yahoo.com/china-manufacturing-weak-small-firms-hurt-more-044116355.htmlThu, 01 Aug 2013 00:41:16 -0400Associated Presschina-manufacturing-weak-small-firms-hurt-more-044116355

Source: http://rss.news.yahoo.com/rss/economy

patrice oneal shamrock slainte the quiet man yellow cab dropkick murphys guernsey