us economy

U.S. Retail Sales Rose 0.5 Percent in December

U.S. consumers increased their spending at retail businesses in December, buying more autos, furniture and clothing. Steady job growth and lower gas prices kept consumers shopping for the holidays, despite worries about potentially tax increases.

U.S. Economy Could Handle Short Fall Over 'Cliff'

Even if New Year's passes with no deficit reduction deal, businesses and consumers would not likely panic as long as some agreement seems imminent. The $671 billion in tax increases and spending cuts could be retroactively repealed, and the impact of the tax increases would be felt only gradually.

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.

U.S. Economy Grew at 2.7 Percent Rate in Summer

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate from July through September, much faster than first thought. The strength is expected to fade in the final months of the year because of uncertainty about looming tax increases and government spending cuts.

Fed Survey: U.S. Economy Growing at a Steady Pace

A pickup in consumer spending and steady home sales helped lift economic growth in October and early November in most parts of the United States, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday. The one exception was the Northeast, which was slowed by Superstorm Sandy.

Fed Cites Moderate U.S. Growth, Takes No New Action

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is improving only moderately and still needs its support to help lower unemployment. The Fed took no new action after a two-day policy meeting. It wants time to assess whether aggressive steps launched in September will boost growth and job creation.

The Presidential Debates: What Do YOU Want to Hear?

Wednesday, Oct. 3 brings the first of the presidential debates, this one focused on the economy. So what do you hope to hear from Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Does the debate matter to you? We want to hear what you think.

Fed Unveils Bold, Open-Ended Steps to Aid Economy

The Federal Reserve says it will spend $40 billion a month to purchase mortgaged-back securities because the economy is too weak to reduce high unemployment. The Fed says it will keep buying the securities until the job market shows substantial improvement.

Initial Jobless Aid Applications Jump to 382,000

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits jumped to the highest level in two months, although the figures were skewed in part by Hurricane Isaac. Applications increased by 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 382,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That's up from 367,000 the previous week.

Expectations High for Major Fed Action Thursday

If the world's investors are right, the Federal Reserve is about to take a bold new step to try to invigorate the U.S. economy. And many expect the Fed to unleash its most potent weapon: a third round of bond purchases meant to ease long-term interest rates and spur borrowing and spending.

Weak Job Growth Makes Bold Fed Action More Likely

August's sluggish job growth could slow the momentum President Barack Obama hoped to gain from his speech Thursday night; it could also make the Federal Reserve more likely to unveil a new bond-buying program at its meeting next week.

US Productivity Grew at 2.2% Rate in Spring

U.S. companies got more output from their workers this spring than initially thought. Productivity rose at a modest 2.2 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter, largely because employers cut back sharply on hiring.