| Eurozone inflation down for third month running | | BRUSSELS — Inflation across the 17 European Union countries that use the euro fell for the third month running in March to its lowest level in nearly three years, official figures showed Wednesday. | | UK manufacturing shrinks for 2nd month, mortgages fall | | LONDON - Britain’s manufacturing activity shrank for a second consecutive month in March, a survey showed on Tuesday, leaving the country’s more resilient services sector as the best hope of avoiding a new recession. | | Euro area unemployment at record 12 percent | | LONDON — The eurozone economy has passed another bleak milestone. Official figures Tuesday showed that unemployment across the 17 European Union countries that use the euro has struck 12 percent for the first time since the currency was launched in 1999. | | US consumer spending rises | | WASHINGTON - US consumer spending rose in February and income rebounded, further signs economic activity accelerated in the first quarter, even though part of the increase in consumption reflected higher gasoline prices. | | Japan jobless rate up, prices, manufacturing fall | | Japan’s jobless rate edged higher and industrial production fell slightly in February as consumer prices also fell, underscoring the fragility of the recovery of the world’s third-largest economy. | | Eurozone confidence slips in March | | BRUSSELS — A combined reading of business and consumer confidence in the 17-state eurozone slipped back in March after recent gains, the European Commission said Wednesday. | | US housing starts rise, permits at 4 ½-year high | | U.S. builders started more houses and apartments in February, while requesting permits for future construction at the fastest pace in 4 ½ years. The increases point to a housing recovery that is gaining strength. | | British manufacturing output slumps in January | | Britain’s manufacturing output slumped by 1.5 percent in January compared with December, official data showed on Tuesday, dealing a fresh blow to the country’s hopes of avoiding a fresh recession. | |
