More

• UPDATE 4-ECB holds rates, leaves other tools on the shelf Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 12:12 PM ET

  FRANKFURT, June 6- The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday and said it had discussed a raft of other policy options it could take if the euro zone economy does not emerge from recession later this year.

• Bank slide drags European shares lower after ECB Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 11:34 AM ET

  LONDON, June 6- European shares reversed early gains to close lower on Thursday, led by banks, after the European Central Bank said the economic outlook remained weak and failed to satisfy those hoping for fresh policy action.

• UPDATE 1-For hard-hit Greeks, IMF mea culpa comes too late Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 11:29 AM ET

  *Outrage, anger on the streets of Athens. ATHENS, June 6- Greeks reacted with an air of vindication and outrage at the International Monetary Fund's admission it erred in its handling of the country's bailout, berating an apology that comes too late to salvage an economy and countless lives in ruins.

• Portuguese parties remain divided over austerity Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 9:55 AM ET

  LISBON, Portugal-- Portugal's main opposition Socialist Party says its differences with the government over economic policy are insurmountable and prevent the forging of a political consensus that the country's bailout creditors would like to see.

• UPDATE 3-ECB holds rates, sees gradual recovery this year Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 9:28 AM ET

  *ECB holds main refi rate at 0.5 pct, deposit rate at zero. FRANKFURT, June 6- The European Central Bank kept its main interest rate on hold at a record low 0.5 percent on Thursday, saying that improved economic data in May confirmed its forecast of a gradual recovery from prolonged recession later this year.

• For hard-hit Greeks, IMF mea culpa comes too late Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 8:04 AM ET

  ATHENS, June 6- Greeks reacted with a mix of vindication and outrage at the International Monetary Fund's admission it erred in its handling of the country's bailout, berating an apology that comes too late to salvage an economy and countless lives in ruins.

• EURO GOVT-Bunds trim gains after ECB leaves rates unchanged Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 8:02 AM ET

  LONDON, June 6- German Bund prices trimmed gains on Thursday after the European Central Bank left borrowing costs unchanged, with the focus turning to president Mario Draghi's steer on future monetary policy. Many in the market expect Draghi to confirm the central bank will maintain its ultra-easy policy at his news conference starting at 1230 GMT.

• EURO GOVT-Bunds rise as ECB seen keeping monetary policy loose Thursday, 6 Jun 2013 | 6:30 AM ET

  LONDON, June 6- German Bunds rose on Thursday, underpinned by expectations the European Central Bank will keep monetary policy loose at its meeting later in the day.

• UPDATE 1-IMF says it lowered own standards for Greek program Wednesday, 5 Jun 2013 | 6:24 PM ET

  WASHINGTON, June 5- The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said that it lowered its normal standards for debt sustainability to bail out Greece and its projections for the Greek economy may have been overly optimistic. The IMF pledged about 30 billion euros to Greece at the time, out of a total package of 110 billion euros.

• IMF admits it lowered own standards for Greek program Wednesday, 5 Jun 2013 | 4:00 PM ET

  WASHINGTON, June 5- The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday admitted it had to lower its normal standards for debt sustainability to bail out Greece, and its projections for the Greek economy may have been overly optimistic. The IMF pledged about 30 billion euros to Greece at the time, out of a total package of 110 billion euros.

• Euro zone slump eases slightly in May, growth remains elusive -PMI Wednesday, 5 Jun 2013 | 4:00 AM ET

  LONDON, June 5- Euro zone business activity shrank at a slightly slower pace last month, but a chronic shortage of new orders means an economic recovery still looks some way off, business surveys showed on Wednesday.

• GLOBAL ECONOMY-U.S., Chinese manufacturing shrink, stoking growth fears Monday, 3 Jun 2013 | 10:54 AM ET

  NEW YORK/ LONDON, June 3- Manufacturers in the United States, China and Europe struggled last month as demand fell, suggesting an ailing world economy that still needs a steady diet of central bank support.

• GLOBAL ECONOMY-Euro zone factory slump eases, Asia's momentum slides Monday, 3 Jun 2013 | 6:14 AM ET

  LONDON/ BEIJING, June 3- Euro zone manufacturing contracted again last month, although at a slightly slower pace, while Asian factories lost momentum, underlining the sombre prospects for the world economy in the second quarter.

• UPDATE 3-Spain PM sees hope for unemployment on day of protests Saturday, 1 Jun 2013 | 3:32 PM ET

  *Muted turnout for Madrid protests, some violence in Frankfurt. *PM says worst behind Spain, income tax could come down in 2015.

• UPDATE 2-Spain PM flags encouraging jobless figures before protests Saturday, 1 Jun 2013 | 10:44 AM ET

  Worst behind Spain, income tax could come down in 2015. MADRID, June 1- Spanish jobless data next week is likely to be encouraging, the country's prime minister said on Saturday, hours before the start of protests in Madrid and other European cities against austerity imposed to tackle the debt crisis.

• UPDATE 1-Rajoy sees hope for Spain in jobless figures Saturday, 1 Jun 2013 | 8:26 AM ET

  *Europe must do more for fiscal, political union. *Worst behind Spain, income tax could come down in 2015. MADRID, June 1- Jobless figures to be released next week in Spain will be encouraging and the recession-hit country has started to turn a corner, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Saturday.

• Spain's Rajoy promises encouraging jobless figures next week Saturday, 1 Jun 2013 | 7:56 AM ET

  MADRID, June 1- Data on unemployment and the number of people receiving social security to be released by Spain's Employment Ministry next week will be "clearly encouraging", Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Saturday. "I'm not counting chickens here, however I recommend that you pay attention to unemployment and social security numbers on Tuesday the 4th...

• IMF completes Greece review, releases $2.26 bln tranche of loan Friday, 31 May 2013 | 5:08 PM ET

  WASHINGTON, May 31- The International Monetary Fund said on Friday that it had completed a review of Greece's performance under an IMF economic aid program, clearing the path to disburse a $2.26 billion tranche to Athens of an IMF loan.

• UPDATE 1-Record unemployment, low inflation underline Europe's pain Friday, 31 May 2013 | 6:27 AM ET

  *Joblessness in Italy at highest in nearly four decades. BRUSSELS, May 31- Unemployment has reached a new high in the euro zone and inflation remains well below the European Central Bank's target, underscoring just how severe a challenge EU leaders face to revive the bloc's sickly economy.

• UPDATE 1-Recession helps Spain book first trade surplus in history Friday, 31 May 2013 | 6:08 AM ET

  MADRID, May 31- Spain booked its first trade surplus in recorded history in March, central bank data showed on Friday, as a sharp plunge in imports from a deep recession offset a modest increase in exports.