Swiss franc surge hits emerging Europe bank sector

(Reuters) - The Swiss central bank's surprise move to let the franc surge sent shock waves through the banking sector in central and eastern Europe (CEE), where widespread mortgages denominated in francs suddenly became much harder to service.

Official data points to loss of momentum in UK economy

Further evidence of a slowing British economy came on Friday as official figures showed a surprise drop in construction in November and falling industrial output as oil and gas output declined sharply.

Fed lifts stocks, dollar; euro tests 1999 starting point

(Reuters) - The dollar hit a nine-year high and stocks worldwide headed for their first back-to-back rise of the year on Thursday, bolstered by Federal Reserve confidence in the U.S. economy and hopes of aggressive new stimulus in Europe.

Merkel ally urges ECB not to buy struggling states' bonds

(Reuters) - A senior member of Angela Merkel's party warned the European Central Bank not to pour money into Greece and other struggling euro zone states through bond purchases, saying this would reduce pressure on them to enact much-needed reforms.

Small Business Saturday Is the Loneliest Shopping Holiday

Small Business Administration chief Maria Contreras-Sweet was in New York City yesterday to promote Small Business Saturday, which is Main Street’s bid for post-Thanksgiving shopping dollars.