It's the economy (Friday, July 23, 2010)

Company perks aplenty, bailed out and over compensated and UK banks pass their stress tests, some of the items of interest from Friday's financials.

Globe and Mail-- 7 banks fail European stress test
Globe and Mail-- Federal deficit narrows to $4.4-billion
Globe and Mail-- Workers agree to Port of Montreal deal
National Post-- China’s dynamic approach to sovereign debt ratings
National Post-- 10 company perks that will make you insanely jealous
National Post-- North American markets close higher
Vancouver Sun-- PCL to cut back bus service
New York Times-- Seven Banks in Europe Fail ‘Stress Test’ for Scant Capital
New York Times-- Ford, Reporting Another Profit, Sees More Gains Ahead
New York Times-- Addicted to Bush
USA Today-- Pay czar: 17 big bailed-out banks overpaid execs by $1.6B
USA Today-- Gasoline prices expected to jump 5 cents in next few days
Guardian UK online-- UK economy grows almost twice as fast as forecast
Guardian UK online-- Stress tests leave UK banks unscathed
Guardian UK online-- Microsoft posts record quarterly revenues of $16bn
The Independent-- It is no good squealing about dodgy borrowers who cannot get bank credit
The Independent-- Europe’s banks may be OK, but the wider economy is under stress
Telegraph UK online-- Fancy an England mug or shirt, going cheap?
Telegraph UK online- Insurers warn 'Bogus Britain': we're watching you
Telegraph UK online-- Real stress is that banks’ worst-case scenarios have still to be tested
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Resource sector drives growth, inflation fear
Melbourne Herald Sun-- NAB fuels home loan profits row
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Export prices jumps 16pc in June quarter, boosts national income
People's Daily-- China orders ports to enhance safety after Dalian pipeline accident
People's Daily-- China faces increasing employment pressure despite stable jobless rate
China Daily-- China key for trade growth
China Daily-- Govt gets strict on high-risk workplaces
Times of India-- PM advisory panel favours RBI action to curb inflation
Times of India-- Japanese co to invest $750 million in JSW Steel