IMF

European and Asian equities rallied on Tuesday, as renewed optimism for a second Greek bailout package lifted global stock markets. Germany could soon drop its negotiation terms over the rescheduling of Greek bonds, the Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning. That would potentially allow...

Despite pleas from the government, bond markets and the European Union, Greece has rejected new austerity measures, leading to strong worries about a potential default. Greece's main opposition conservative party rejected the please. Leader Antonis Samaras said he would not endorse an agreement...

The Swiss franc rallied to record highs against the dollar on Friday, as strong Swiss economic data supported the currency, according to Reuters. Despite the strength of the Franc, it did not stem Swiss export activity, as the Bank of Switzerland's export metric stayed steady at 2.30. Economists...

For a few years now, Greece has been steadily digging deeper and deeper into debt. Now, unsurprisingy, the European Union is concerned about how much "air" will this crisis will squeeze out of the 17-member union. In Greece, pensions are being reassessed and tax hikes are on the table, due to the...

This is your morning news summary from Benzinga for Friday, May 27, 2011, covering overnight and pre-market news affecting today's trending session. Stock index futures are trading relatively flat this morning versus yesterday's price levels. Despite somewhat disappointing economic news, Wall...

According to Dow Jones, the IMF urged the Swiss National Bank to tighten monetary policy in its staff report for Switzerland. The IMF writes, "With the output gap closing and a below neutral policy interest rate, monetary accommodation should be withdrawn in the near-term under the baseline...

Eurogroup president Jean-Claude Juncker questioned if the IMF would release its next disbursement of aid for Greece, according to Dow Jones. While the euro had initially been up on the session, news of Juncker's statements may have driven the euro down against the dollar, as the currency pair...

With leaders from the Group of 8 (G8) countries meeting in Deauville, France this week, U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to promote global political and economic reforms, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Continuing violence throughout the region has some leaders alarmed,...

Last month's bullish forecast by the International Monetary Fund is another reason to bet on the Chinese yuan. The IMF estimates that developing economies in Asia will expand 8.4% this year, compared with 2.8% growth in the U.S. Overall, the yuan has appreciated 4.92% against the greenback in the...

French finance minister Christine Lagarde announced her candidacy for the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Wednesday, defying a growing chorus of critics who challenge traditional European leadership. "It is an immense challenge which I approach with humility and in the hope of...

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned as managing director of the International Monetary Fund, amid accusations of sexual misconduct. Christine Lagarde, current French finance minister, is seen as a likely replacement. If Lagarde--another French politician--ultimately succeeds Strauss-Kahn, should...

BP (NYSE: BP) has received a deal to get more than $1 billion from one of its partners in the Gulf of Mexico disaster last year. The ECB said it may stop lending to banks using Greek government bonds as collateral. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) executives are expecting to receive subpoenas...

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund after being charged with attempted rape. The SEC is investigating into the NASDAQ (NASDAQ: NDAQ) and other electronic marketplaces to see whether control are sufficient, in hopes of preventing another "flash crash."

Retail Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD) reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss as sales at Sears stores plunged both at its home turf and in Canada. Like rivals Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and Lowes (NYSE: LOW), Sears has seen demand for appliances fall after a government stimulus for...

International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned Wednesday, attributed to recent allegations that he sexually assaulted a New York City hotel worker this past weekend. Strauss-Kahn, who was seen by many as a candidate for the French presidency, is currently being held at Rikers...