Economy News & Latest Economy Headlines

Unemployment Rate Hits 8.3% After Hiring Burst

9:25AM 2/03/2012

Employers went on a hiring spree in January and drove down the unemployment rate for a fifth straight month to 8.3 percent, its lowest point in nearly three years. The result pointed to a resurgent job market, and it sent stock futures surging. The Dow Jones industrial average futures, which were flat before the report, jumped 95 points.

I Love (to Shop for) You: Valentine's Day Spending Will Rise

5:10PM 2/02/2012

By Barbara Thau

Economy

Chances are, you'll be more generous with your honey this Valentine's Day than last. Consumer spending on the holiday is expected to exceed last year's levels, according to the NRF and American Express.

The Food of Love: Valentine's Day Dining by the Numbers

2:15PM 2/02/2012

By Dawn Kawamoto, The Motley Fool

Economy, Food, Features, Holidays

A romantic dinner is a Valentine's Day staple, and lovebirds are once again making reservations to dine with their special someones. (And guys, you're running out of time!) So which are the top choices of cuisine, and how much will the check be when it comes to the table? Read on...

'Made in China' Is Starting to Get Too Expensive

7:30AM 2/02/2012

By The Motley Fool

Economy

U.S. workers are far, far more productive than their Chinese counterparts -- mostly because we have a big head start on automation. And when you combine lower productivity with the rising wages that Chinese laborers now demand, you get what may be the recipe for the rebirth of American manufacturing.

Manufacturing Expands at Fastest Pace Since June

10:45AM 2/01/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

U.S. factories grew in January at the fastest pace in seven months, boosted by a rise in new orders. And builders ended a poor year for construction by spending more on homes and projects for the fifth straight month. The reports bolster other data showing the U.S. economy started the year strong.

7 Ways Inflation Will Hit Americans in 2012

2:05PM 1/31/2012

By InvestorPlace

Economy, Morgan Stanley , Netflix, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks

With the economy still trying to muster a recovery, and unemployment still around 8.5%, any price increases are painful. And just a month into 2012, a spate of headlines points to more hurt ahead. Here are seven ways inflation will be digging into your wallet this year:

Fewer Seek Unemployment Aid as Job Market Improves

11:25AM 1/31/2012

By Eamon Murphy

Economy

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to a level that signaled a steadily improving job market. The figures came one day before the government is expected to report that January marked another solid month for hiring.

Incomes Up Strong 0.5%, Consumer Spending Flat

9:15AM 1/30/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

Americans' incomes rose last month by the most in nine months, a hopeful sign for the economy after a year of weak wage gains. But consumer spending was flat.

Happy Chinese New Year! Sorry, the Item You Want Is Back-Ordered

2:45PM 1/27/2012

By Dawn Kawamoto, The Motley Fool

Economy, Retail

Chinese New Year kicked off on Monday, and the celebration of the new lunar cycle will effect you than you might think. When the country that manufactures so much of what we buy goes on vacation for two weeks, U.S. retail can hardly act like it's business as usual.

Economy Grew Modest 2.8% in Q4, Best in 2011

11:00AM 1/27/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years. But growth in the October-December quarter -- and all of last year -- was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.