This year began on an optimistic note, with expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates significantly. Many economists and market participants projected six to seven rate cuts as inflation continued to cool.

World shares were mixed Thursday ahead of a decision by the European Central Bank on interest rates that was expected to yield at least a quarter percentage point cut to the current 3.25% benchmark. Analysts said the monetary authority for the 20 euro currency countries in the European Union was bound to act now that inflation has

U.S. stocks are rising after the latest update on inflation appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the Federal Reserve

By Sruthi Shankar and Johann M Cherian (Reuters) -European stocks pared losses on Thursday, after the European Central Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points as expected, and left the door open for further easing to support a struggling economy amid heightened political risks.

European stock markets rose Thursday as the Swiss central bank made a bigger-than-forecast interest rate cut before eurozone policymakers are expected to trim the bloc's own borrowing costs again.