If it looks as though Europe is clutching at straws to stop hundreds, sometimes thousands, of migrants from crossing the Mediterranean into Italy every day, that’s exactly what’s happening. On Monday, the European Union’s foreign ministers approved restrictions on the supply of inflatable boats and outboard motors to Libya. The boats that bring the migrants, mostly Africans these days, have …

Bloomberg China has finally opened up its credit-rating market. But foreign credit assessors aren’t likely to waltz in, local money managers say. The challenge for rating companies, which generally charge issuers for scoring them, will be to win business from borrowers used to getting high grades from local assessors. That’s key after Sunday, which marked the day by which China …

Bloomberg Stocks rose Wednesday on earnings strength, with the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index adding to Tuesday’s record highs. The euro retraced some recent gains as European policy makers gathered in Frankfurt before Thursday’s rate decision. Oil fluctuated. It was a day of reversing trends in Europe, with the common currency coming off the highest close since August …