Mariano Rajoy

Over the weekend, Catalonia's parliamentary election concluded with secessionist parties "Junts pel Si" and CUP gaining 47.8 percent of the vote. Regional government head Artur Mas praised the outcome, saying that the region's voters had spoken and that they were demanding independence for...

Over the weekend, Spanish citizens headed to the polls for regional elections, where they voiced their disappointment with the nation's direction under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the Popular Party by casting a large volume of votes for small, upstart parties. The elections sent a powerful...

The euro retreated slightly from Thursday's highs as political problems in the 17-nation bloc reminded markets of the region's fragility. The common currency traded at $1.3749 at 5:15 GMT on Friday morning. The Wall Street Journal reported that Catalonia, Spain's leading industrial region, has set...

The US government's bipartisan budget deal easily passed a vote in the US House of Representatives on Thursday, upping the possibility that the US Federal Reserve will begin tapering its $85 billion per month stimulus package. The budget deal will be sent to the Senate, where it is expected to...

Spain's economy may finally be on the up-swing after years of contraction marked by a financial crisis created from a massive housing and credit bubble. However, more good news came for the Spanish economy Thursday as the government announced that the unemployment rate declined for the first time...

The euro traded at $1.3132 on Friday morning as investors eyed political tension in the region cautiously. Although things have been relatively calm recently, several of the region's struggling members have seen political uncertainty over the past few weeks which many analysts say could threaten...

The euro climbed towards $1.31 on Tuesday morning as markets awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony before congress about the central bank's views on the American economy. Following soft retail sales data, some are expecting Bernanke to reiterate last week's message that the...

Futures Higher On Dovish Bernanke U.S. equity futures rose sharply as a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke after the close Wednesday was much more dovish than expected. The comments show that the Fed is not looking to end its easy money policies any time soon. Top News In other...

Futures Marginally Lower Ahead of Quiet Day U.S. equity futures traded marginally lower after Monday's gains heading into a quiet day both on the earnings and economics calendars. Should the S&P 500 post gains today, it would mark the 21st consecutive Tuesday of gains. Top News In other news...

In the wake of Spanish equities tumbling on allegations of graft aimed at Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italian stocks coming under pressure on speculation that Silvio Berlusconi will win that nation's upcoming election, controversy again surrounds the European investment thesis. Declining...

The euro slipped over the weekend and recovered only slightly on Monday morning, trading at 1.3383 at 8:30 GMT. The currency was under heavy pressure after political uncertainty threatened to throw the recent recovery efforts off track in both Spain and Italy, two of the region's most fragile...

The euro traded steadily near $1.35 after its rally was quashed early on Tuesday after political scandals in some of the region's weaker economies unfolded. On Wednesday the currency held steady, trading at 1.3536. Political uncertainty in Spain and Italy shook investors' confidence and renewed...

Monday, global financial markets got beat down on what was effectively a repricing of sovereign and political risk in Europe. Bond yields rose, bank stocks fell, and broadly, risk assets traded weakly. Europe just looked pretty ugly Monday. Beginning in Italy, 10-year government bond yields crept...

Futures Flat on Global Fears U.S. equity futures were flat in pre-market trading Monday on global fears as eurozone risks crept higher. Peripheral bond yields rose overnight as former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wants to undo austerity measures just two weeks before elections and also...

The euro traded at 1.3196 on Monday morning as the New Year approached. The common currency has had a tumultuous year as the regions economies struggled to overcome debt problems and repay lenders. The euro is under heavy pressure as the U.S. comes down to the wire with its fiscal cliff decision...