EU says household spending lifted euro-zone economy in the second quarter

August 24th, 2009 Euro zone industrial orders rise in JuneLONDON — Industrial orders in the 16-nation euro zone rose 3.1 percent in June from the quarter before, official data showed Monday, suggesting the manufacturing sector could be emerging from recession. The European statistics agency Eurostat said new orders — a key gauge of industry's future growth — rose in both France and Germany, which emerged from recession in the second quarter, as well as Ireland, which has been among the hardest-hit by the global economic crisis.

August 21st, 2009 Euro area economy stabilized in AugustLONDON — Further evidence emerged Friday that the 16 countries using the euro are on the verge of growing again following the most savage recession since the Second World War. Financial information company Markit said mounting optimism helped its composite purchasing managers' index — a broad gauge of business activity — for the euro zone rise by a record three points in August to 50.

August 14th, 2009 Euro area prices fell 0.7 pct in year to JulyLONDON — Prices in the 16 countries that use the euro fell on an annual basis for the second straight month in July and by more than previously anticipated, official figures showed Friday. The European Union's statistics office Eurostat said consumer prices in the euro zone fell by 0.7 percent in July from the previous year, 0.1 percentage point more than it had previously estimated and ahead of June's 0.1 percent fall.

August 13th, 2009 Euro area economy contracted only 0.1 pct in Q2LONDON — The recession in the 16 countries that use the euro eased substantially between April and June after unexpected growth in Germany and France, the euro zone's two largest economies, official figures showed Thursday. The European Union's statistics office Eurostat revealed that the euro zone's gross domestic product fell by only 0.1 percent in the second quarter from the previous three month period.

August 5th, 2009 Euro retail sales fall 0.2 pct in JuneBRUSSELS — The European Union says retail sales in the 16 nations that use the euro fell 0.2 percent in June from a month earlier, showing that consumers are wary of spending as unemployment hits a 10-year high. Shoppers cut back spending both on daily essentials such as food, drink and tobacco and on non-food items such as clothing, electronics and medicines.

July 31st, 2009 Euro-zone prices fall for second monthBRUSSELS — The EU statistics agency says euro-zone consumer prices fell 0.6 percent in July from a year ago. Lower demand for energy and other goods has caused prices to plunge in the region, according to figures released Friday.

July 15th, 2009 EU: plunging oil price behind June disinflationBRUSSELS — Plunging oil prices sent euro-zone inflation negative in June, the EU statistics agency Eurostat said Wednesday. It confirmed a June 30 estimate that the 16 nations that use the euro saw prices contract 0.1 percent in the year to June — the first month the region has experienced disinflation since the euro launched in 1999.

July 8th, 2009 Euro zone Q1 contraction confirmed at 2.5 percentLONDON — Official figures confirmed that the 16 countries that use the euro saw output shrink by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009 from the previous three month period as the global recession sapped the industrial exports that the euro zone relies on for growth. Though the final estimate left the quarterly rate unchanged, the annual decline was greater than anticipated.

July 3rd, 2009 Euro zone retail sales down 0.4 percent in MayLONDON — Retail sales fell in May in the 16 countries that use the euro, in a further sign that consumers aren't optimistic about their future in the midst of a deep and widespread recession. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, says retail sales in the euro zone fell by 0.4 percent from the previous month.

June 29th, 2009 European economic confidence climbsBRUSSELS — European business and consumer confidence climbed for the third month in a row in June but still languished near its lowest point in two decades, the European Commission said Monday. It said the main players in the economy "seem to be gaining confidence that the crisis is easing" as industrial and services companies expect to be employing more people in future and consumers are worrying less about losing their jobs.

June 12th, 2009 Euro zone industrial output slumps in AprilLONDON — Industrial production in the 16 countries that use the euro slumped in April, official figures showed Friday, stoking fears that the euro zone remains in the grip of recession despite signs elsewhere that a recovery of sorts may be underway. The European Union's statistics office Eurostat said a 1.9 percent drop in April — the eighth consecutive monthly fall — pushed the annual rate of decline down to a record 21.6 percent.

May 13th, 2009 Euro zone industrial output shrinks 2 pct in MarchLONDON — The 16 countries that use the euro currency saw industrial output shrink by 2 percent in March from the previous month, pushing the annual rate of decline to a new record, the EU's statistics office said Wednesday. The drop was far bigger than expected.

May 1st, 2009 Japan jobless rate up, spending down in MarchTOKYO — Japan says its jobless rate rose and household spending fell in March. Friday's government announcement shows the world's second-largest economy is still faltering.

April 30th, 2009 Euro jobless rate surges, inflation stableBRUSSELS — The jobless rate in the 16 nations that use the euro surged to 8.9 percent in March, the highest level in nearly five years, the EU statistics office said Thursday. Unemployment is rising steeply despite recently higher business and consumer optimism about their recession-hit economy.

April 22nd, 2009 IMF says euro zone to shrink 4.2 percent this yearLONDON — The International Monetary Fund is warning that the countries using the euro currency will see their economies shrink 4.2 percent this year. It says next year will be tough as well but that the economy should start bouncing back sometime in 2010.