Portugal may re-ignite Europe crisis

Political turmoil in Portugal is threatening to re-ignite Europe's debt crisis after a year of relative calm.

Canada funds bet emerging markets can lift "funk"

TORONTO (Reuters) - With only tepid growth expected in North America and Western Europe in 2013, Canadian asset managers say the best opportunity for growth comes from emerging markets, where a burgeoning middle class is hungry for consumer goods and improved infrastructure.

China's Sovereign Wealth Fund in Big Turnaround

China Investment Corporation (CIC), the world's biggest sovereign wealth investor said 2012 was a much better year for the $482-billion fund, with returns of over 10 percent.

Investors skirt new shorting curbs to bet on EU woes

LONDON: New rules to stop speculators making Europe's debt crisis worse by betting on government bond defaults are prompting investors to find alternative ways to insure against or profit from bad news in the region.

Global growth fears drag down financial markets

LONDON (AP) — Global financial markets drifted lower Monday as growing concerns about the state of the world economy offset any remaining optimism over central banks' stimulus efforts.

China urges more "decisive action" on euro crisis

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said the euro zone finance ministers' decision to lend Spain up to 100 billion euros ($125 billion) to shore up its teetering banks was a welcome short-term fix, but urged the bloc to take more decisive action to safeguard longer term stability.

Moody's: Australia vulnerable to external shocks

SYDNEY--Australia is vulnerable to a global downturn and the government's pledge to return the budget to surplus will be challenged but the Australian dollar will still be partly supported by its emerging "safe haven" status, said Steven Hess, senior credit officer and the chief sovereign analyst for Australia at Moody's Investors Service.

A Contrarian Bets Ireland and Hungary Will Rebound

For months now, a big investor has been betting billions of dollars that two of Europe’s most wounded countries will bounce back from the beating they have taken during the region’s debt crisis.

Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Climbs

Confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in December as Americans’ outlooks improved.

A change in attitudes key challenge for Greece

The crippling debt crisis has dominated Greek political life for the past two years but more than an economic problem, a solution requires a fundamental change in attitudes, analysts say.

European Industries Shrink as Global Slowdown Deepens Amid Debt: Economy

European services and manufacturing shrank further, industrial orders had the biggest drop in almost three years and China’s factories showed signs of contraction as a global slowdown deepened.

Europe: New leaders, same debt crisis

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Europe's debt crisis is far from over.

Italy confirms talks with China's sovereign wealth fund amid crisis

ROME - Italy is confirming reports that the treasury minister has met with China's sovereign wealth fund, amid speculation that Rome is looking to persuade Beijing to buy Italy's bonds or invest in its companies.

A spokesman for Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti on Tuesday confirmed the meeting with the chairman of China Investment Corp., Lou Jiwei, but declined further comment.