Bloomberg: China Manufacturing May Slow on Tightening Steps

Related News: Economy · Asia · China
China Manufacturing May Slow on Tightening Steps
By Bloomberg News - May 23, 2011 1:34 PM GMT+0900

A Chinese manufacturing index fell to its lowest level in 10 months, adding to signs that economic growth is cooling after the government raised interest rates and curbed lending to rein in inflation.

WSJ: Euro-Zone Growth Slows to 7-Month Low

EUROPE BUSINESS NEWS|MAY 23, 2011, 4:36 A.M. ET
Euro-Zone Growth Slows to 7-Month Low

By NICHOLAS WINNING

LONDON—Growth in the euro zone's private sector eased more than expected to its weakest pace in seven months in May, led by a sharp slowdown in manufacturing, the preliminary results of a survey by financial-information firm Markit showed Monday.

Bloomberg: Risk Rally Ending for Currencies Turns Focus to New Least Ugly-Alternative

Related News: Economy · Asia · Europe · Japan · U.K. & Ireland · U.S. · Currencies · Funds · Insurance · Middle East · France · Canada
Risk Rally Ending for Currencies Turns Focus to New Least Ugly-Alternative
By Catarina Saraiva and Allison Bennett - May 23, 2011 1:08 PM GMT+0900

The best-performing currencies of 2011 are falling out of favor as the Federal Reserve plans its exit from record monetary stimulus just as the global economy shows signs of slowing, buffeting commodities and stocks.

Bloomberg: Fed Focusing on Inflation Expectations

Related News: U.S. · Bonds · Currencies
Fed Focusing on Inflation Expectations
By Caroline Salas and Scott Lanman - May 23, 2011 8:00 AM GMT+0900

The cue for the Federal Reserve to start withdrawing its record monetary stimulus may be a measure of its own credibility: inflation expectations.

Fortune: Sizing up a sweeping mortgage settlement

Sizing up a sweeping mortgage settlement

Mortgage lenders like Bank of America and Wells Fargo are fighting the fight on all fronts, with the latest being False Claims Act violations. Here's what to look for in any settlements.
By Abigail Field, contributor

FORTUNE -- The trouble for America's largest mortgage lenders just keeps mounting. How much will it cost them to make it all go away?

Bloomberg: Home Sales in U.S. Drop, Manufacturing Stalls in Sign Recovery Is Flagging

Related News: U.S. · Economy · Real Estate
Home Sales in U.S. Drop, Manufacturing Stalls in Sign Recovery Is Flagging
By Bob Willis and Shobhana Chandra - May 20, 2011 5:13 AM GMT+0900

Sales of existing U.S. homes unexpectedly declined, manufacturing in the Philadelphia region slowed and consumer confidence dropped, pointing to an economy that is struggling to regain momentum following the surge in energy costs.

Bloomberg: Fed’s Bullard Sees Europe Debt Crisis as Top Risk to U.S. Economic Outlook

Related News: Economy · U.S.
Fed’s Bullard Sees Europe Debt Crisis as Top Risk to U.S. Economic Outlook
By Joshua Zumbrun - May 19, 2011 1:43 AM GMT+0900

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said the European sovereign-debt crisis has surpassed rising oil prices to become the biggest risk to the economic outlook in the U.S.

Bloomberg: Banks Say Simpler Mortgage Form Could ‘Stifle’ New Products

Related News: Finance · Real Estate · U.S. · Personal Finance
Banks Say Simpler Mortgage Form Could ‘Stifle’ New Products
By Carter Dougherty - May 18, 2011 1:00 PM GMT+0900

For Elizabeth Warren, the Obama administration adviser setting up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, simpler mortgage paperwork is a “regulatory sweet spot” that will cut lender costs and borrower confusion.

CNBC: China Economic 'Facade' Starts to Show Cracks: Chanos

China Economic 'Facade' Starts to Show Cracks: Chanos
Published: Wednesday, 18 May 2011 | 8:16 AM ET
By: Jeff Cox

China's economy is showing real signs of weakening, particularly in real estate, and even could tip into a recession, hedge fund manager Jim Chanos told CNBC.

WSJ: Moody's Cuts Rating of Four Major Australian Banks

BUSINESS|MAY 18, 2011, 5:20 A.M. ET
Moody's Cuts Rating of Four Major Australian Banks

By GEOFFREY ROGOW And CYNTHIA KOONS

SYDNEY—In a blow to the Australian banking industry, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of the country's four largest banks, citing their dependence on global lending markets.