Germany

Greece may have moved a bit further away from default after Finland's Parliament approved the latest Greek bailout plan. The Finnish parliament easily passed the bailout measure with a 111-72 vote, which followed successful votes to approve the Greek rescue package earlier this week by the German...

The euro zone unexpectedly shrank in February, adding to fears that Europe might be about to fall back in to recession. The latest survey results from Markit Economics' purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed that the index fell back to 49.7 in February, down from 50.4 in January. The results are...

Greece and finance ministers from the other 16 euro zone countries agreed to terms for Greece to receive a 130 billion euro ($172 billion) aid package that they hope will help Greece to avoid a default on its burdensome debt. Although the latest deal between Greece and the finance ministers is...

The government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel was delivered a blow on Friday when the President of Germany resigned over allegations of corruption. Former German President Christian Wulff's role was largely a ceremonial one but he was expected to act as the moral leader of the German government...

Whenever Greece takes a step forward in addressing its financial crisis, the country then seems to take two steps back. Greece's chances of avoiding a painful default seem to have taken yet another step back, as Eurozone finance ministers have questioned the country's willingness to commit to...

For once there was good news coming out of Europe when France and Germany reported better than expected fourth quarter economic results. Although Germany's economy shrank by 0.2 percent, it was less than the 0.3 percent contraction that was widely expected. Germany also had its third quarter...

The German economy stands in sharp contrast to the rest of Europe. For example, unemployment, which has been troublesome for many of the other economies in Europe, is approaching its lowest level in 30 years, coming in at 6.7 percent in January. German unemployment has been decreasing steadily for...

Friday the thirteenth lived up to its ominous reputation as far as the Euro is concerned. The common currency of a union long haunted by financial inviability hit lows not seen in 17 months today driven by S&P sovereign downgrade rumors and halted talks on Greek debt. To a lesser extent,...

Rumors are circulating that S&P is planning a widespread downgrade of Eurozone economies in a move that could shake up European economies and spook global markets as a whole. According to unnamed EU sources cited by Dow Jones, S&P could be planning to downgrade "multiple" Eurozone...

One would think a three percent annual growth is no shabby showing on any developed economy. Yet markets are awash with concern today that Germany--also known as the rich uncle in a fiscally challenged European family--exhibited deflated growth for 2011. That that three percent is twice what the...

Amid the great abundance of negative news coming from the Eurozone, it now appears that some hope can be seen; that the recession could be lighter than expected. The PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) in UK rose during December. The figure moved from 47.7 in November to 49.6, against forecasts that...

On Wednesday, inflation in the eurozone was reported to have eased. The annual inflation rate in the 17-member currency block dropped from a rate of 3.0% in November down to 2.8% in December. Given the pullback in the rate of inflation, investors may come to anticipate that further easing on the...

US equity markets traded lower on Monday morning, as the US dollar index rallied roughly 1%. Commodities across the board showed weakness—gold dropped below $1670. The US dollar index is a measure of the dollar against a basket of other currencies. Perhaps contributing the most to the index's gain...

British Prime Minister David Cameron has become the target of intense criticism over his veto of changes to the European Union treaty. Prime Minister Cameron said that he used his veto of the proposed EU changes at a meeting of European Union leaders on Friday in order to protect the interests of...

Dow futures spiked early on Friday morning when it was reported that the European Central Bank (ECB) might lend money to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speculation is that the money lent by the ECB to the IMF would be funneled back to Europe in the form of IMF aid. Many market...