Consumer Spending Forecast to Boost U.S. Economy
Consumer spending is likely to pick up this year, while government spending declines at a faster rate, according to a survey of business economists.
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Business Inventories Flat in March; Sales Down Sharply
U.S. business inventories were unchanged in March for a second straight month, while business sales fell the most since June.
9 Numbers That'll Tell You How the Economy's Really Doing
We've whittled the vast universe of economic data down to these nine key numbers that will give you a quick handle on the health of the economy.
Why Rich Consumers Will Dominate Spending in 2013
The consumer economy may look weak. But the affluent and wealthy consumers are ramping up their spending -- and that could help drive the broader economy this year.
Economic Growth Picks Up in 1Q But Not as Much as Hoped
U.S. economic growth accelerated from January through March, buoyed by the strongest consumer spending in more than two years.
Drop in Gas Prices A Boon for Drivers and the Economy
A sharp decline in the price of oil this month is making gasoline cheaper at a time of year when it typically gets more expensive.
Economists' Excel Error Undermines Influential Paper
Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff are economics luminaries, with chairs at Harvard and stints at the IMF. But is their most famous argument the result of an Excel mistake?
WTO Warns of Growing Threat of Protectionism
The World Trade Organization slashed its forecast for trade global growth in 2013 on Wednesday, saying it feared protectionism was on the increase.
U.S. Trade Gap Narrows in February on Stronger Oil, Auto Exports
The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in February as exports climbed to near an all-time high and the volume of imported crude oil fell to the lowest level in 17 years.
Why You May Be Feeling Left Behind in the Economic Recovery
Many of the U.S. economy's vital signs have recovered from the damage done by the Great Recession, but some measures have a way yet to go.
U.S. GDP Grew at 0.1% Rate in Fourth Quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a 0.1 percent annual rate from October through December, the weakest performance in nearly two years. But economists believe a steady housing rebound in housing and solid business and consumer spending is pushing growth higher in the current quarter.
U.S. GDP Shrinks for First Time Since End of Great Recession
The U.S. economy shrank from October through December for the first time since the recession ended, hurt by the biggest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.
U.S. Economy Grew at 3.1 Percent in Summer
The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent over the summer as exports increased, consumers spent more and state and local governments added to growth for the first time in three years. But the economy is likely slowing in the current quarter.
Hurricane Sandy to Cost Businesses Billions
Economists say it will take a while to fully estimate the economic impact of the storm. But they believe the impact will be enough to lower the nation's gross domestic product, the broadest reading of the nation's economic activity, in the fourth quarter.