Created Jobs At The Fastest

(Reuters) - The euro fell for a third straight session against the dollar on Wednesday after soft European data fueled fears about a deep and broader slowdown in the region ahead of key elections in France and Greece. The euro, however, briefly trimmed losses after a report showed the U.S. economy created fewer private-sector jobs than expected last month. It also came off its lows after speculation the European Central Bank could provide euro-zone banks with more liquidity in another long-term refinancing operation. Wednesday's weaker euro zone data, not just in indebted smaller regional economies but in core nations too, raised speculation over possible policy signals at Thursday's ECB monetary policy meeting. Italy's manufacturing sector shrank more than expected, with new orders ...

(Reuters) - The euro fell for a third straight session against the dollar on Wednesday after soft European data rekindled fears about a deep and broader slowdown in the region ahead of key elections in France and Greece. The euro, however, briefly trimmed losses after a report showed the U.S. economy created fewer private-sector jobs than expected last month. It also came off its lows after speculation the European Central Bank could infuse euro-zone banks with more liquidity in another long-term refinancing operation. Wednesday's weaker euro zone data, not just in indebted smaller regional economies but in core nations, too, raised speculation over possible policy signals at Thursday's ECB monetary policy meeting. Italy's manufacturing sector shrank far more than expected, with new ...

The Weekly Bottom Line HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK United States A narrowing trade deficit and larger than expected inventory accumulation in February suggests Q1 growth will be closer to 2.5-3.0% than our previous forecast for 1.7%. That being said, this does not change our underlying outlook. The higher print on GDP reflects an inventory swing and improved trade balance due to weak imports. In contrast, domestic demand still appears set to post a shallow 2% gain. In order for the U.S. economy to generate sustained growth at the 3% level, we will need to see a much healthier job market that is capable of generating widespread growth in real incomes. Canada In two survey releases, the Bank of Canada detailed that businesses are more upbeat about their sales' prospects and ...

The Weekly Bottom Line HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK United States Stocks experienced a modest bout of volatility this week. The S&P500 declined 1.5% on Tuesday (the largest daily decline of 2012) only to rally and recoup the losses by the end of the week. Another important step was taken in the euro-zone this week when a Greek debt swap that will reduce the nation's debt burden by €100 billion received sufficient participation. While recent progress in the euro-zone is encouraging, Greece may still have to write down more debt in the future. Finally, the U.S. job market continues to hold its momentum. 227K new jobs were created in February, marking the third straight month of 200K+ job creation. Canada Canada shed 2,800 jobs in February, entirely erasing January's gain. ...

(Reuters) - The euro weakened against the dollar on Monday, after the failure of Greek coalition parties to approve the terms of a new bailout package rekindled worries about a chaotic default that could spread to other debt-ridden, euro zone countries. A European Commission spokesman said Greece had already gone beyond the deadline for finalizing talks on the second financing package from the euro zone and the International Monetary Fund, and Athens needed urgently to take decisions. Greece's coalition members must agree to painful terms of a new bailout worth 130 billion euros before euro zone finance ministers next meet. Continued failure to reach a deal would leave the prospect of an unmanaged Greek debt default when bond repayments fall due in March. A meeting of Greek political ...

(Reuters) - The euro fell on Monday on mounting investor concern that Greek coalition parties had yet to sign off on the terms of a new bailout, keeping alive the risk of a messy default that could ensnare other countries such as Portugal. Greece's coalition members must agree to painful terms of a new bailout worth 130 billion euros before euro zone finance ministers next meet, with a Greek government official denying that there was a deadline for the parties to respond to. A spokesman of the PASOK socialist party which is a coalition partner, said on Sunday that leaders of the three parties had to give their responses by 5 a.m. ET on Monday. So far there appears some distance between the Greeks and the targets proposed by the IMF-EU-ECB troika with concerns rising that Athens might be ...

(Reuters) - The euro fell on Monday on mounting investor concern that Greek coalition parties had yet to sign off on the terms of a new bailout, keeping alive the risk of a messy default that could ensnare other countries such as Portugal. Greece's coalition members must agree to painful terms of a new bailout worth 130 billion euros before euro zone finance ministers next meet, with a Greek government official denying that there was a deadline for the parties to respond to. A spokesman of the PASOK socialist party which is a coalition partner, said on Sunday that leaders of the three parties had to give their responses by 5 a.m. ET on Monday. So far there appears some distance between the Greeks and the targets proposed by the IMF-EU-ECB troika with concerns rising that Athens might be ...

(Reuters) - The euro fell broadly on Monday on investor concern that Greek coalition parties had yet to sign off on the terms of a new bailout with a deadline imminent, keeping alive the risk of a messy default which could rock the currency bloc. Greece's coalition members must tell the European Union by noon on Monday (5 a.m. ET) whether they accept the painful terms of a new bailout worth 130 billion euros, with euro zone ministers postponing a meeting planned for Monday due to the delay in Athens. So far there appears some distance between the Greeks and the targets proposed by the IMF-EU-ECB troika with concerns mounting that Athens might be opposed to more austerity measures like labor reforms and wage cuts. "Investors are a bit cautious about the euro ahead of the deadline with a ...

(Reuters) - The euro took something of a hit on Monday as Greek coalition parties dithered on approving the terms for a new bailout with a deadline just hours away. Greece's coalition members must tell the European Union by noon on Monday (1000 GMT) whether they accept the painful terms of a new bailout worth 130 billion euros in order to avoid a disorderly default, with euro zone ministers postponing a meeting planned for Monday due to the delay in Athens. "There are so many hurdles before they reach a deal, with so many sticking points," said Minori Uchida, senior currency analyst at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. "The euro will likely test $1.30 again." The single currency shed 0.4 percent in early Asian trade to stand at $1.3105, having fallen as far as $1.3075 in thin early trade. ...