Greek bailout still buying time

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

Investors are cautiously optimistic that European officials will resolve remaining differences over Greece�s long-delayed second bailout, but the deal won�t be the last word on Greece or the region�s long-running debt crisis, economists say. See full story.

China eases bank reserves ahead of key data

China lowers the ratio of funds banks must set aside as reserves, in an apparent effort to fight sharply lower lending. Analysts now look to upcoming data as critical to China�s economic direction. See full story.

China home-sale data show prices slumping

New data show a sharp slowdown in China�s housing market, with one financial broker citing a government report that no new homes were sold in Beijing during the recent weeklong Lunar New Year holiday. See full story.

Not too early for a Xi rally

Although Vice President Xi Jinping gave little new away on his visit to Washington last week, it may not be too early to prepare for an equity rally in anticipation of the new incoming administration, writes Craig Stephen. See full story.

Xi seeks �mutual respect� between China, U.S.

The man expected to be China�s next leader pressed the United States on Wednesday for a relationship based on �mutual respect and mutual benefit,� wrapping up a visit to Washington that included meetings with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Some boomers are tapping their home equity and investing the money in tax-deferred accounts. There are risks and rewards to this sort of leveraging strategy. See full story.