personal income

Inflation has inched higher in the past six months, but that's not a danger sign, but rather a harbinger of improving economic conditions and a strengthening recovery. And that, in turn, should lead to higher wages and more hiring in the year ahead.

As much as the market and Corporate America may like what they heard in the president's speech Tuesday night, history shows Obama's reelection in 2012 remains pinned to boosting Americans' income growth to at least 3%. Problem is, right now it's running at just 1.4%.

Rising retail sales are adding to the list of positive economic developments as 2010 winds down. But how important are holiday sales in the larger scheme of things? Investors may be giving too much credit to what turns out to be a tiny sliver of U.S. GDP.

September 2010 was unexpectedly less robust for U.S. consumers, as personal incomes fell, surprising economists, $16.8 billion, or -0.1%. Disposable income decreased even more; $20.3 billion, or -0.2%. At the same time, and despite this fall in income, personal consumption expenditures (a.k.a....

It's clear the U.S. economy is suffering from a lack of demand. So, this poor report will likely bolster Fed officials who want to keep interest rates low and employ more quantitative easing.

September's consumer sentiment level unexpectedly rose to 68.2 from its preliminary 66.6 reading. However, the entire gain came from more positive responses among households earning under $75,000 -- those who wouldn't be affected by a failure to extend the Bush income tax cuts for the rich.

Orders fell 1.2% in June, well below a survey estimate of a 0.5% drop, marking two down months in a row. Even excluding the often-volatile transportation component (airplanes and cars), orders fell 1.1% in June.

Consumer spending and personal incomes were both unchanged in June after rising 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, in May, the Commerce Department said today. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast a median 0.1% gain in spending and a 0.2% advance in incomes.

The U.S. savings rate rose to an eight-month high in May, as a 0.4% rise in average income outpaced a 0.2% rise in spending. But cautious consumers spending, while good in the long term, may slow the country's economic recovery.

U.S. consumer spending rose in May, a sign consumers may be gaining confidence in the economic recovery. Purchases gained 0.2 percent from a month earlier, while personal income advanced 0.4%, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said on its website. Personal saving rose to 4% of disposable income....