Fed Upgraded Economic Outlook

Fed officials were slightly more optimistic about the U.S. economic outlook, but not enough to call an early end to their bond-buying program, minutes from the January meeting showed.

• QE2 Follow Through
• Central Bank Watch

Outlook for Food Prices: High

The seeds of a sustained increase in food prices are about to be sown in Mississippi, Nebraska and other farm-belt states across the U.S.

• Commodities Watch

University of the South Slashes Tuition

In a move likely to reverberate among America's top-tier private colleges, the University of the South said Wednesday it will slash tuition and fees for the coming school year by 10%, or about $4,600.

G-20 Frets Over Inflation, Debt

G-20 officials have agreed to draw up a "limited set" of indicators aimed at curbing economic imbalances and coordinating economic policies, but have yet to decide what those indicators will be.

• Sovereign Debt Watch

Portugal Calls Europe Slow on Crisis

The Portuguese government said European leaders aren't acting fast enough to find a collective solution to the euro-zone crisis, as signs of stress continued to intensify for the small but highly indebted country.

Turkey's Rate Gamble May Work

Merkel Taps Adviser to Head Bundesbank

Exports Fuel Spanish Growth

BOE Signals Gradual Rate Rises

U.K. Jobless Rate Rises Unexpectedly

Crop Surge Lifts Farmland Prices

Discontent Over Austerity in Portugal

Brazil: No Plans to Press China on Yuan

Snow Damps Euro-Zone Recovery

Turkey Leaves Rates on Hold

Germany to Name Weber's Successor

Japan, India Sign Trade Pact

U.K. Inflation Rise Pressures BOE

Budget Battle Lines Drawn

U.S. Deficit Expected to Spike

Big Role for Tax Increases Fuels Criticism

Cash Softens a Trade Blow

German Economy Shows Slower Growth

Illinois Union Ally Turns Critic

Rising China Bests a Shrinking Japan

ECB Board Will Have No Women

French Economy Fails to Accelerate

Euro-Zone Industrial Output Dips

EU Signals Size of Bailout Fund

Fischer: Israel Should Stick to Budget Deficit Aim

China Trade Surplus Shrinks

India Inflation Eases, But Rate Rise Looms

Recovery Redefines G-20 Challenge

Tax Complaint: Too Low

IMF Official: Asia Needs to Fight Inflation With Freer Currencies

Germany's Central Bank Chief Resigns

Irish Bailout Hits Snags

Public-Worker Unions Steel for Cuts

Higher Pay Gains Are Seen for 2011

Rise in Rates Is Headwind for Housing

Canada Posts Surprise Trade Surplus

IMF Seeks More Greek Progress

For U.K. Banks, Calamity Is Born

U.K. Factory-Gate Inflation Accelerates

G-20 to Address Hot Money

Ireland's Kenny Wants Bank-Injection Delay

German Inflation Revised Upward

Spanish Data Underline Malaise

Bank of England Keeps Rates Steady

U.K. Manufacturing Drops Unexpectedly

India Factory Output Growth Slows Further

French Industrial Output Rises Unexpectedly

Bernanke Tries to Soothe GOP

Property Levy Called Taxman's Best Option

U.S. Asks India to Ease FDI Rules

German Shuns Euro Bank Job

Germany's Current Account Surplus Expands

Inflation Worries Spread

China Looks to Boost Grain Production

Fitch Warns of Stagflation Risk

Layoffs Down but Hiring Slow