Economy of the European Union

The euro hit a nine-year low against the dollar on Thursday as bearish German manufacturing data suggested the European Central Bank may soon move to expand its bond-buying programme to bolster economic recovery.

By Simon Kennedy

Don?t believe the hype.

A reading of the German press suggests Chancellor Angela Merkel is at peace with the idea of Greece quitting the euro. Der Spiegel says her government views that as a manageable outcome; Bild reports that officials are preparing for the prospect. Lawmaker Michael Fuchs says Greece is no longer a threat to financial stability.

Greece's jobless rate fell to 25.8 percent in October from an upwardly revised 26 percent rate in September as the economy emerged from a six-year recession, Greek statistics agency ELSTAT said on Thursday.

October's reading was the lowest since August 2012 when unemployment stood at 25.5 percent. The record high was set in September 2013, when unemployment hit 28 percent.

By Stefan Riecher & Jana Randow

Mario Draghi has more evidence than ever to start quantitative easing as soon as this month -- if only he can find a way to deal with Greece.

 Frankfurt examines alternatives to state collateral for supply of liquidity to Greek commercial lenders

By Yiannis Papadoyiannis

By Mike Dolan

British elections in May could arguably have as much impact on euro zone stability as this month's snap poll in Greece, making for an anxious period of up to six months for European investors.

By David Goodman

For the first time in 15 months, Greek 10- year government bond yields are back above 10 percent.

Questions of Greece exiting the euro or rescheduling its debt are not on the agenda, European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici told Le Monde newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.

Moscovici added that the European Commission wanted Greece to remain in the eurozone.

By Alan Soughley and Jonathan Morgan

European stocks advanced, rebounding after falling to their lowest level in almost three weeks.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3 percent to 332.68 at 8:04 a.m. in London. Stocks erased gains in the final hour of trading yesterday as banks slid, after having risen as much as 0.6 percent amid a recovery in energy shares.

By Lananh Nguyen

Central banks and reserve managers are breaking from past practice by showing little appetite to add euros as the currency tumbles.