The ECB has adopted a pretty limited form of credit easing –

“The ECB has adopted a pretty limited form of credit easing — arguably quantitative easing, depending on your definition — but certainly not the wholesale quantitative easing that we’ve seen in the U.S. and UK.”Their monetary policy is tighter and the currency is stronger as a result,” he added.Growing optimism that special policies by central banks have helped steer the world economy through the worst of the recession also helped boost investor risk appetite and lend support to the euro, some analysts said.(Additional reporting by Steven C Johnson; Editing by Dan Grebler) Hot Stocks. * Strong capital position, equity to assets leverage ratio of 19.1% * Total risk-based capital of 22.86% * Pricing on new originations improved 111 basis points year-over-year * Completed modification of warehouse facilities * Converted to a Bank Holding CompanyMOUNT LAUREL, N.J., May 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marlin Business ServicesCorp. The ECB also cut its interest rates to 1 percent, a record low.Analysts said traders were relieved that the ECB announced only a limited scale of bond purchase. Recent more aggressive measures taken by other central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, to flood the financial system with money have led to near-term pressure on their currencies.”I think the ECB announcement has allowed the euro to gain a bit of ground,” said Daniel Katzive, global director of foreign exchange at Credit Suisse in New York.

So there’s still the risk that losses can come back again,” he added.ECB MEETINGEarlier on Thursday, the euro rose after the ECB said it plans to spend about 60 billion euros ($80 billion) buying covered bank bonds in a bid to stem the euro zone’s economic decline. Hot StocksAnalysts said the test results were largely in line with expectations, removing a major uncertainty in financial markets in recent weeks and helping boost investor appetite for risk.Further boosting the euro, which rose to a one-month high against the dollar, was the European Central Bank’s decision to refrain from taking more aggressive liquidity-boosting measures that could reduce the currency’s value.”Overall, the results are in line with expectations,” said Kathy Lien, director of currency research at GFT Forex in New York. NEW YORK (Reuters) – The dollar and the yen fell against the euro on Thursday after stress test results showed none of the 19 U.S. banks examined faces insolvency, but some of the biggest need to raise more capital. Shares of the Lakewood, Colorado-based company were tradingdown $10 after the bell They closed at $11.37 on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Poojya Trivedi in Bangalore; Editing by AnilD’Silva) Stocks Global Markets France. Analysts were expecting earnings of 25 cents a share,before special items, on revenue of $103.6 million, accordingto Reuters Estimates.The company, whose brands include Einstein Bros, Noah’s NewYork Bagels and New World Coffee, said it plans to open six newcompany-owned stores, five to seven additional franchisedlocations and 25 to 30 additional licensed locations.

Revenue fell by about 3 percent to $100.4 million, whilesame-store sales dropped 3.7 percent for the quarter. The quick casual restaurant chain, which sells coffee andbagels, posted net income of $1.9 million, or 11 cents a share,compared with $3.8 million, or 23 cents a share, a year ago. * Q1 EPS $0.11, misses estimates by wide margin Stocks  |  Global Markets  |  France * Q1 revenue falls 3 percent, lagging estimates * Shares down 12 pct in after-hours trade May 7 (Reuters) – Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (BAGL.O)posted first-quarter profit that missed analyst estimates assales at company-owned restaurants fell, sending its sharesdown 12 percent. National Guard keeping the peace while distributing surgical masks to the masses in Mexico City April 26, 2009.Your View/Cristian P Radu Mexico Mexico. Post-2012, I think there is going to be a huge focus on energy efficiency because I think there is going to be a sectoral approach (to cutting carbon dioxide emissions),” Behrend said.(Editing by David Fogarty) Green Business China. BEIJING (Reuters) – A bigger role must be found for improving energy efficiency in any new U.N.