Europe Top News and Analysis

The world's biggest bond fund manager Bill Gross has had a change of heart on Treasurys, raising allocations to U.S.government bonds.

James Crosby, former boss of failed British bank HBOS, offered on Tuesday to give up his knighthood and nearly a third of his pension after being denounced by lawmakers for the "colossal failure" that led to his bank's collapse.

Repeated threats of aggression from North Korea have created little panic in markets, but some experts warn that a big risk could be Pyongyang not knowing it's crossed the line.

Italian center-left leader Bersani met his center-right rival Berlusconi to discuss the election for the next president, offering hope of a breakthrough in the deadlock.

U.K. stocks performed better during Margaret Thatcher's tenure compared to any other period of time over the last 50 years.

China recorded a small trade deficit of $884 million in March as imports surged way ahead of market expectations, growing 14.1 percent year on year, while annual export growth of 10.0 percent were largely in line with forecasts.

The digital currency bitcoin continued its surge on Tuesday crossing $200, more than doubling in value in just over one week.

China saw export growth of 10 percent year on year in March while exports to the U.S. and Europe, its two biggest markets, continued to slump, which is making analysts question the reliability of the data.

The global ratings agency cut China's long-term local currency credit rating to A-plus from AA-minus on Tuesday with a stable outlook, citing financial risks from rapid credit expansion alongside the rise of shadow banking activity.

France's economy is at near-stall speed, trade and budget deficits widened last month and the country is embroiled in increasing political uncertainty.

Slovenia is heading toward a severe banking crisis and a deep recession despite recent reforms, according to the OECD.

British banks could pay up to a quarter more to be supervised as two new watchdogs adopt more intrusive regulation and impose higher fines which will be paid into the coffers of cash-strapped government.

Greek consumer prices entered deflationary territory for the first time in 45 years, data showed on Tuesday.

German imports fell sharply in February for the third time in the last four months and exports also declined.

A "crescent of chaos" emerging from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and tensions with Iran could lead to a dramatic turnaround in the price of oil, according to Nomura's analysis.

Japanese investment in Europe's bond markets are expected to jump following the Bank of Japan's drastic action to ease monetary policy, the FT reports.

French media group Lagardere Tuesday said it has sold its entire 7.4% stake in European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co EADS through a private placement for 2.28 billion euros.