Bailout

US stocks mostly unchanged as global markets drift

KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average fell 15 points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,461 as of 10:32 a.m. Eastern time. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped one point, or less than 0.1 percent, to 2,090. The Nasdaq composite rose two points, or less than 0.1 percent, to 5,050.

MIXED BAG: Five of the 10 industry sectors of the S&P 500 index fell, led by a 0.4 percent drop in financial stocks.

Greek creditors report progress in talks for new bailout

A European Commission spokeswoman, Mina Andreeva, said the lenders are hoping to finalize the 85-billion euro ($92.5 billion) agreement in time for a major Greek debt repayment in two weeks.

"We believe this is an ambitious yet possible timetable," she said. "Our teams (have been) on the ground (for) almost two weeks, and they report satisfactory progress."

Greece: Prospect of new election grows, markets hit

The government is relying on opposition party support for approval in parliament of new austerity measures demanded by bailout lenders, following a revolt by nearly one fourth of its own lawmakers.

Government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said the government would not form a national unity government and described early elections as "likely."

"A solution will be found, since the country needs a strong government," Gerovasili told private Skai television. "(Early) elections are likely but that doesn't mean we will be dealing today with when they will take place."

Greece launches bailout talks as Plan B details revealed

But the government faced rebuke following revelations that former finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, formed a secret committee to plan for the possible conversion of euros into drachmas "at a drop of a hat."

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said late Monday that meetings in Athens had begun between Greek officials and negotiating teams representing creditors, with talks to intensify Tuesday, paving the way for higher level discussions possibly by the end of the week.

Bailout talks back in Athens, as tough conditions approved

Officials in Athens and at the European Union said negotiators are expected to start arriving Friday, marking the first time high-level talks will be held in the Greek capital since Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' left-wing government assumed power in late January.

The news came hours after parliament approved a second round of reforms Greece's European creditors had demanded before the negotiations could start. Tsipras narrowly survived an anti-austerity revolt within his own party.

S&P upgrades Greece's credit rating after European bailout

Greece's rating now stands at "CCC+" in an upgrade announced Tuesday. That classification means Greece is still on shaky financial ground, but less likely to face an immediate credit crisis.

S&P had previously rated Greece as "CCC-," a category signaling that loan payments are likely to be missed within six months.

VIDEO: Interior minister on deal with creditors

Greece and its creditors agreed early Monday on a deal that will keep the country in the euro common currency.

Greece reaches deal with creditors, avoids euro exit

The terms of the deal, however, will be painful both for Greeks and their radical left-led government, which since its election in January had vowed to stand up to the creditors and reject the budget cuts they have been demanding.

Before it can get 85 billion euros ($95.07 billion) in bailout cash and support for its banks to reopen, the Greek government will have to pass a raft of austerity measures that include sales tax increases, reforms to pensions, and labour market reforms.

Disagreements emerge among Greece's European creditors

Facing a self-imposed Sunday deadline, the European nations using the shared euro currency were still seeking more proof from Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that he could be fully trusted to enact wide-ranging economic reforms to safeguard Greece's future in the common currency.

Greek talks with sceptical creditors to resume in morning

Talks will resume following more than eight hours of talks on Saturday without any apparent breakthrough that will secure the country's future in the euro.

On leaving the meeting, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the eurozone's top official, said there had been "in-depth" discussions, and highlighted the issue of "trust."