U.S. Consumer Spending Rises Less Than Forecast, Prices Cool

Consumer spending rose less than forecast in September as incomes dropped for the first time in more than a year, a sign Americans may keep rebuilding savings and paring debt as the economy is slow to recover.

Thirty-Three Hours May Induce ECB Surrender on Weak Dollar

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s push to jump-start the U.S. economy this week may weaken the dollar, forcing at least one other central bank to add its own stimulus to offset a rising exchange rate.

U.K. House Prices Fall Most Since January 2009, Hometrack Says

U.K. house prices fell the most since January 2009 last month as demand weakened and more people put their property on the market, Hometrack Ltd. said.

China Manufacturing Posts Biggest Gain in Six Months

China’s manufacturing expanded at the fastest pace in six months in October, indicating the economy can bear more gains in the yuan and interest-rate increases to cool price pressures.

U.K. Manufacturing Growth Unexpectedly Accelerates as Exports Strengthen

U.K. manufacturing growth unexpectedly accelerated in October and hiring improved as export orders increased.

Yuan Deposits Rise as Hong Kong Currency Peg Debate Heats Up

Hong Kong’s growing demand for and use of yuan has ignited a debate over whether the local dollar’s 27- year peg to the greenback should be scrapped in favor of a link to China’s currency.

Slim Solution for Trade Imbalances Is More Buying by China

Billionaire Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, said China must buy more and the U.S. needs to step up private investment to reduce the trade imbalance and boost their economies.

Manufacturing in U.S. Probably Grew at Slower Pace in October

Manufacturing in the U.S. probably expanded at a slower pace in October, evidence of the cooling in the recovery that’s taken place since early 2010, economists said before reports today.

Indonesia Local-Currency Debt Rally Will `End in Tears,' Rohatyn Predicts

The 18-month rally in Indonesian local-currency government debt will “end in tears” for investors as the central bank raises interest rates, according to New York-based fund manager The Rohatyn Group.

Food Inflation Accelerating as Cooking Oil Poised to Catch Grains

Cooking oils, left behind in this year’s surge in agriculture prices, are poised to catch up with grains as record demand cuts stockpiles by the most in 17 years.

RBA's Stevens Weighs Rate Increase With Australian Economy in `Sweet Spot'

Reserve Bank of Australia policy makers will weigh slower inflation and weaker business credit against accelerating employment when they meet tomorrow to decide whether to resume raising interest rates.

Lula's Successor Will Fail to Bring Down Rates, Swaps Show: Brazil Credit

Traders are betting that Brazil’s first female president will fail to cut the fiscal deficit enough to bring down the highest interest rates after inflation in the Group of 20 nations.

G-20 Mania Grips Seoul as Kids Add Currencies to Homework

City officials leave their desks this week to sweep the streets of Seoul while seven-year-old children study economics as South Korea mobilizes its citizens for the Group of 20 meeting.

Obama Needs New Change to Believe in After Debacle: Albert Hunt

No-drama Obama may need some drama, or at least a shakeup.

Currency Swings Show Faith in G-20 Pledge Fading

Traders are losing confidence in Group of 20 finance officials’ pledge to avoid foreign-exchange manipulation, less than a week after the leaders vowed to stop devaluing currencies to prop up their economies.