The U.S. services sector is growing strong, providing additional evidence that the U.S. economy is recovering and might not need more stimulus funding. But that's contingent upon oil staying below $120 per barrel.
A scant few U.S. carriers took home honors from this year's "Best of Business Travel" awards from Business Traveler magazine. The apparent malaise affecting U.S. airlines may involve something more fundamental than the economy.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics data on regional and state unemployment for September shows jobless rates remain uneven. Nevada and Michigan have been particularly hard hit, with no relief in sight.
The economy lost 95,000 jobs in September, because the private sector hired only 64,000 workers while governments cut 159,000. The jobless rate remains 9.6%. Minus the usual boosts from housing and consumers, the U.S. still lacks a catalyst for new jobs.
In just one and a half years, Foursquare has taken social networking to a new level by offering geo-location services that allow users to notify their friends about where they are shopping, eating or drinking. And it hasn't gone unnoticed. CEO Dennis Crowley shares his thoughts on the recent launch of geo-location application Facebook Places.
The Institute for Supply Management's July reading showed the vital U.S. services sector expanding faster in July, reducing the risk of a double-dip recession. July's data also point to an increase in hiring.
A key index of service sector activity unexpectedly jumped in March, with rises in its business activity, new orders and employment components indicating that the U.S. economic expansion is taking hold.
