AP - The nation's manufacturing sector contracted in November for the first time in more than three years, a trade group said Friday.

FT.com - Currency traders have become convinced over the past two weeks that something big is afoot in the global economy. They are not convinced by the sanguine noises coming from the Federal Reserve and think the risks of a 'hard landing' in the US economy have risen. But, in a departure from the old wisdom, they do not seem worried about the effects of a US downturn on European economies - rejecting the old adage that 'when the US sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold'.

AP - Chinese economic planners met Tuesday to set goals for 2007 amid efforts to keep the country's sizzling growth from racing out of control.

Reuters - U.S. private employers likely added 158,000 jobs in November, according to a survey by ADP Employer Services released on Wednesday.

Reuters - The U.S. economy will expand at a weak pace next year, setting the stage for lower interest rates, according to a UCLA Anderson Forecast report released on Thursday.

AP - Japan's economy grew at a far weaker pace in the third quarter than previously reported due to downward revisions in consumer spending and capital investment, the government said Friday, raising concerns about the recovery's strength.

AFP - The Federal Reserve is likely to maintain steady interest rates at its latest policy meeting, but a sputtering US economy may force the central bank to consider rate cuts soon, analysts say.

Reuters - Next year will likely bring a second annual decline in existing home sales, the National Association of Realtors predicted on Monday.

AP - India's industrial production growth slowed to a 6.2 percent pace in October, its lowest growth rate in 10 months, the government said Tuesday.

AFP - The dollar rebounded after overnight falls caused by Fed concerns over a weaker US economy.

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers seeking first-time jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, dropping from levels analysts had said were inflated by a holiday-related spike, a government report on Thursday showed.

AP - Consumer inflation was a no-show in November as Americans enjoyed a third straight month of price relief led by big declines in energy costs.

AP - Russia's economics minister said Monday that the economy could grow 7 percent this year, beating the government's original forecasts, news reports said.

AP - Housing construction increased in November even though applications for permits to build new homes dropped for a 10th straight month.

AP - The number of newly laid-off workers signing up for unemployment benefits rose last week as companies kept a close eye on the size of their work forces amid slowing economic activity.

Reuters - Investor confidence in the U.S. economy fell slightly in December but still remained high, responding to rallying stock markets and the shift from a Republican to a Democratic Congress, according to the UBS/Gallup Index of Investor Optimism released on Friday.

AP - Parliament on Sunday took up measures meant to bring Chinese law into line with a more open, capitalist-style economy by protecting private property and equalizing taxes for foreign and domestic companies.

Reuters - China's central bank said on Monday that it would continue to take steps to keep investment and credit growth in check, while pressing ahead with efforts to make the value of its currency more market-driven.

Reuters - China's economy is expected to maintain robust, relatively inflation-free growth next year, a state think-tank and central bank officials said on Tuesday.

AP - Sales of new homes rose in November while the backlog of unsold homes fell for a fourth straight month, providing hope that the serious slump in housing could be ending.

AP - The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits edged up slightly last week but remained at a level indicating the job market is holding up well in spite of the slowing economy.