From LEX May 24, 2013

Global stock markets – fragile confidence

A television cameraman films a stock quotation board showing a dramatic turnaround of Japan's Nikkei stock average (top R) at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo May 23, 2013. Japan's Nikkei stock average tumbled 3.7 percent on Thursday, in a dramatic turnaround from a 5-1/2-year high hit in morning trade and was on track for its biggest daily drop in two years, as weak Chinese factory activity data rattled investors. ©Reuters

Party may not be over for equities, but the punchbowl is running dry

May 23, 2013

Faultlines emerge on EU-US trade pact

European Parliament backs demands to exclude cultural fare

May 23, 2013

US jobless claims drop more than expected

Signs of resilient hiring despite federal budget cuts

From MARKETS May 22, 2013

Rating agencies under fire again

Accusation of misjudging rebound in US housing market

From MARKETS May 22, 2013

Dollar rises on Fed bond-buying comments

UK pound slips on retail sales data

May 22, 2013

Fed chief hints on money flow

Bernanke suggests the tapering could start soon

May 22, 2013

US existing home sales tick up

Sellers lured to market but inventories remain low and credit tight

Markets Insight from MARKETS May 22, 2013

Fed QE exit must avoid collateral damage

Scarcity has disrupted the repo market, harming the ability to set rates for non-banks

From WORLD May 21, 2013

Bernanke to address QE timeline

Fed chair’s testimony looked to for indication of tapering down

Cornfield ©AFP From MARKETS May 21, 2013

US farmland faces asset bubble test

Record crop prospects put prices under pressure

May 17, 2013

US wins breathing space on debt ceiling

Resurgence of tax revenues forestalls budget crisis

From WORLD May 17, 2013

US prepares red carpet for Myanmar leader

Key issues include rival bids for $1bn Yangon airport contract

May 17, 2013

US consumer sentiment nears six-year high

Jobs market and home values overshadow payroll tax rise

From MARKETS May 16, 2013

US farmland prices draw bubble talk

Double-digit rise despite weak grain market intensifies debate

May 16, 2013

US consumer prices drop most in four years

Housing starts fall more than expected in April

May 15, 2013

Candidates to be the next US Fed chairman

Who might replace Ben Bernanke when his terms ends in January 2014?

May 15, 2013

Snags await favourite for Fed job

Janet Yellen’s frontrunner status is no guarantee

Editorial from COMMENT May 15, 2013

The dwindling of America’s deficit

Congress should take the debt-ceiling battle off the agenda

May 15, 2013

US wholesale prices fall most in three years

Global weakness leads to lower fuel and factory input costs

From COMPANIES May 15, 2013

US utilities’ outperformance fades away

After strong start to the year, groups shed 4% in May