Chain Retailers Report Solid Sales Gains in April
Americans spent more during the early spring months in the latest sign that they're encouraged by the economic recovery.
economy
Wholesale Inventories Rise in March as Sales Fall Sharply
Wholesale businesses stepped up their restocking of supplies in March, but their sales fell sharply, a government report shows.
Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level in Nearly 5½ Years
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped to its lowest level in nearly 5½ years last week, despite federal budget cuts.
Obama Renews Focus on Jobs, Economy with Texas Trip
President Barack Obama travels to Texas to put his focus back on job creation and economic growth after intensive attention to gun control legislation and immigration reform.
Freddie Mac Posts Near-Record Profit in First Quarter
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac earned $4.6 billion from January through March, helped by a stronger housing market.
U.S. Home Prices Surge 10.5% in March
A survey shows U.S. home prices rose 10.5 percent in March compared with a year ago, the biggest gain since March 2006.
Consumers Cut Back Credit Card Use in March
Americans cut back on using their credit cards in March, suggesting many were reluctant to take on high-interest debt to make purchases.
Health Care Inflation Slows; Will It Last?
Since the recession hit, medical inflation has been roughly 3%, far less than the 7.4% long-term average from 1980 through 2008. Could this mean lower costs into the future?
U.S. Factory Orders Fell Sharply in March
Orders to U.S. factories fell in March by the largest amount in seven months but a key category that signals business investment plans managed a small increase.
Service-Sector Job Growth in April Slowest in 9 Months
The pace of growth in the vast U.S. services sector slowed in April to its weakest pace in nine months, an industry report shows.
Hiring Up, Jobless Rate Falls To 7.5%
U.S. employers added 165,000 jobs in April, and hiring was much stronger in the previous two months than first thought.
U.S. Workers More Productive in 1Q -- But Just Barely
U.S. worker productivity barely grew from January through March after shrinking in the final three months of 2012.
April Factory Activity Weakest in 6 Months as Orders Fall
Manufacturing growth pulled back to its slowest pace in six months in April as new orders and employment cooled, the latest signal the economy has hit a soft spot.
Employers Add Far Fewer Jobs in April than Forecast
Private employers added 119,000 jobs in April, well below economists' expectations in the latest piece of data to suggest the economy is encountering a soft patch.
No Surprises Expected as Fed Ends 2-Day Meeting
The Federal Reserve is widely expected Wednesday to stick with its aggressive efforts to strengthen a still-subpar economy.