Yahoo U.S. Economy - Source Information

Source URL: http://news.yahoo.com/i/1203;_ylt=Agi_2c6XWbuOz6nKv6kRUP6yBhIF
Number of headlines in database: 260
Last update: 2010-03-11 20:13:14

Yahoo U.S. Economy Headlines

  • Obama launches export-doubling strategy(AFP) (2010-03-11 18:33:11)
    AFP - President Barack Obama put into action Thursday an ambitious strategy to double US exports by prising open lucrative emerging markets in a bid to ease unemployment amid fragile economic recovery.
  • Appetite for reform fading: NYSE Euronext CEO(Reuters) (2010-03-11 18:27:10)
    Reuters - The appetite and sense of urgency for world financial reform have waned as markets have rebounded and the world economy has shown signs of recovering, the head of exchange operator NYSE Euronext said on Thursday.
  • Key US senator to unveil new financial overhaul plan(AFP) (2010-03-11 18:00:43)
    AFP - A key US senator said he would unveil new legislation next Monday to rewrite US financial rules and prevent a repeat of the global economic meltdown of 2008.
  • EU rejects US criticism over hedge fund curbs(AFP) (2010-03-11 17:52:15)
    AFP - European officials on Thursday defended planned new EU legislation regulating high-end financial services from "protectionist" charges, amid anger from US Treasury chief Timothy Geithner.
  • Exxon Mobil boosts 2010 capital spending 4 percent(Reuters) (2010-03-11 17:30:40)
    Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp will increase its capital spending nearly 4 percent this year to $28 billion in part as the largest U.S. oil company seeks to increase its share of the global market for natural gas.
  • Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows on oil(Reuters) (2010-03-11 17:30:03)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell only slightly last week, indicating that rapid job growth would probably continue to elude the economy for a while.
  • Obama pushes trade initiative as jobs helper(AP) (2010-03-11 17:22:00)
    AP - President Barack Obama sought Thursday to put some detail behind his lofty drive to double U.S. exports over the next five years, calling the effort imperative to putting people back to work. But doubts remain about how many net jobs his trade agenda will create — and how he will get it done.
  • Obama outlines strategy to boost exports(Reuters) (2010-03-11 17:13:50)
    Reuters - President Barack Obama, anxious to spur growth and tackle high unemployment, on Thursday laid out a plan for tougher enforcement of trade laws, government advocacy and credit assistance to double U.S. exports in five years.
  • Americans' net worth up for 3rd straight quarter(AP) (2010-03-11 17:00:46)
    AP - American households saw their wealth increase at the end of last year, mainly because the healing economy boosted stock portfolios.
  • Jobless claims by state, at a glance(AP) (2010-03-11 16:49:23)
    AP - First-time claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week by 6,000 to 462,000 for the week ending March 6. The total nearly matched analysts' estimates and was the second straight drop.
  • Obama pushing a new export initiative(AP) (2010-03-11 16:48:22)
    AP - President Barack Obama sought Thursday to put some detail behind his lofty drive to double U.S. exports over the next five years, calling the effort imperative to putting people back to work. But doubts remain about how many net jobs his trade agenda will create — and how he will get it done.
  • Summary Box: Jobless claims drop for second week(AP) (2010-03-11 16:46:11)
    AP - JOBLESS CLAIMS DROP: New claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to a seasonally adjusted 462,000, nearly matching analysts' estimates. It was the second straight drop.
  • How free markets sank the U.S. economy(Reuters) (2010-03-11 16:45:24)
    Reuters - Two years ago, a poisonous brew of bad economics, lax regulation, and egregious behavior boiled over, scalding the financial system and pitching the United States into its steepest downturn since the Great Depression.
  • Smart Spending: Wedding gifts on a budget(AP) (2010-03-11 16:39:31)
    AP - Spring has sprung and so have the wedding invitations. They'll be joyous events, but finding the perfect gifts to bring along can be stressful during these tough economic times.
  • US trade gap narrows on falling imports, exports(AFP) (2010-03-11 16:37:31)
    AFP - The US trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in January as imports and exports declined and overall volume fell for the first time in five months, the government reported Thursday.
  • Obama issues new call on China over yuan(AFP) (2010-03-11 16:10:40)
    AFP - US President Barack Obama Thursday called on China to embrace a "market oriented" exchange rate for its yuan currency, saying such a move would help rebalance the global economy.
  • Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows(Reuters) (2010-03-11 15:38:25)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly less than expected last week, hinting at a slow labor market recovery.
  • US senator to unveil new financial overhaul plan(AFP) (2010-03-11 15:17:23)
    AFP - A key US senator said Thursday he would unveil new legislation come Monday to rewrite US financial rules and prevent a repeat of the global economic meltdown of 2008.
  • Exxon Mobil boosts 2010 spending 4 percent(Reuters) (2010-03-11 15:06:37)
    Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp will increase its capital spending nearly 4 percent this year to $28 billion as it evaluates new fields around the world, but it cautioned that the global economy remained unsteady.
  • Highway deaths drop to lowest levels since 1950s(AP) (2010-03-11 14:43:17)
    AP - U.S. highway deaths have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1950s, as more motorists bought into buckling up and embraced safety innovations. A sour economy that dampened traveling instincts also was a contributor.
  • Obama to sign order to execute export-doubling strategy(AFP) (2010-03-11 14:41:34)
    AFP - US President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Thursday to put into action his ambitious strategy to double American exports to ease an unemployment crisis at home, officials said.
  • Trade deficit shrinks as auto and oil imports drop(AP) (2010-03-11 14:28:31)
    AP - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. American exports also fell, a potential blow to hopes that the economic recovery will be aided this year by U.S. sales abroad.
  • US trade gap narrows on falling imports(AFP) (2010-03-11 14:14:46)
    AFP - The US trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in January as volume fell for the first time in five months, led by a drop in imports, the government reported Thursday.
  • First-time jobless claims drop slightly last week(AP) (2010-03-11 14:08:30)
    AP - The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, the latest sign the employment picture is slowly brightening.
  • Jan trade gap narrows unexpectedly due to oil(Reuters) (2010-03-11 13:56:29)
    Reuters - The U.S. trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in January as oil imports fell to their lowest since February 1999, a government report showed on Thursday.
  • German economy to shrink in Q1, think tank says(AP) (2010-03-11 13:34:21)
    AP - A leading German think-tank says it expects the country's economy — Europe's biggest — to contract in the first quarter because of an unusually harsh winter.
  • Hawaii jobless rate inches upward, led by tourism(AP) (2010-03-11 13:02:26)
    AP - Hawaii's unemployment rate inched upward in January, led by large job losses in the tourism sector of the state's economy, the state reported Wednesday.
  • Foreclosures drop for 2nd month in February: RealtyTrac(Reuters) (2010-03-11 12:20:14)
    Reuters - U.S. mortgage foreclosure filings dropped for a second straight month in February, and notched the smallest annual increase in four years as housing-rescue efforts contained activity, a report released on Thursday showed.
  • Obama taps Boeing, Xerox chiefs to lead export body(Reuters) (2010-03-11 11:01:52)
    Reuters - President Barack Obama, anxious to spur growth and tackle unemployment, will name two top executives from Boeing and Xerox on Thursday to spearhead his drive to boost U.S. exports, the White House said.
  • Oil near $82 as traders eye weak US demand(AP) (2010-03-11 09:03:39)
    AP - Oil prices fell to near $82 a barrel Thursday in Asia as traders eyed tepid U.S. crude demand amid an overall economic expansion.
  • India aims to be world's fastest growing economy(AP) (2010-03-11 08:14:33)
    AP - Just how fast can India grow? Ask Manal Farooq, who can't make gloves quickly enough.
  • Geithner warns EU on hedge fund regulation plan(AFP) (2010-03-11 06:22:20)
    AFP - US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has warned the European Commission its plans to regulate hedge funds and private equity groups could spark a transatlantic row, a paper reported Thursday.
  • Japan's 4Q growth weaker than first estimated(AP) (2010-03-11 06:07:14)
    AP - Japan's economic growth was weaker than first estimated in the fourth quarter, underscoring a patchy recovery in the world's No. 2 economy.
  • Oil falls below $82 as traders eye weak US demand(AP) (2010-03-11 05:31:04)
    AP - Oil prices fell below $82 a barrel Thursday in Asia as traders eyed tepid U.S. crude demand amid an overall economic expansion.
  • U.S. dollar still rules, but debt level a risk: S&P(Reuters) (2010-03-11 05:14:56)
    Reuters - The U.S. dollar is still the most important world currency, Standard & Poor's said on Thursday, but added that rising levels of U.S. debt and dependence on foreigners to finance much of pose risks to the currency's primacy.
  • Senate passes $149 billion for jobless aid(Reuters) (2010-03-11 04:45:06)
    Reuters - The Senate on Wednesday passed a $149 billion package of jobless aid and tax breaks, as Democrats continued efforts to lower the 9.7 percent unemployment rate before congressional elections in November.
  • California revenue jumps, tax refunds should be paid on time(Reuters) (2010-03-11 01:12:55)
    Reuters - California's revenue in February was $480 million or 8.7 percent above the estimate in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's state budget plan, so tax refunds should be paid on time, State Controller John Chiang said on Wednesday.
  • Roll Call: Senate vote on jobless aid measure(AP) (2010-03-11 00:51:53)
    AP - The 62-36 roll call Wednesday by which the Senate voted to extend jobless aid, tax breaks to businesses and individuals and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor.
  • Japan revises down 4Q economic growth(AP) (2010-03-11 00:21:43)
    AP - Japan says its economy grew notably less in the fourth quarter than initial estimates.
  • Credit card users: Not so responsible after all?(AP) (2010-03-10 23:45:50)
    AP - With unemployment high and personal wealth diminished, how was it that strapped consumers were paying down their credit card debt last year? It turns out they probably weren't.
  • Republican Bunning stirs anger with WTO block(Reuters) (2010-03-10 23:04:29)
    Reuters - A Republican senator who held up action earlier this month on a bill to renew jobless benefits faced more criticism on Wednesday for blocking approval of President Barack Obama's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
  • Geithner urges reform on housing finance market(Reuters) (2010-03-10 23:03:06)
    Reuters - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday that "fundamental reform" of the government's role in the housing finance market is needed and it will be next year before proposals are ready for Congress.
  • Summary Box: Wholesale inventories trimmed(AP) (2010-03-10 22:42:59)
    AP - INVENTORIES: Inventories held at the wholesale level fell 0.2 percent in January, highlighting that businesses remain cautious about adding to their stockpiles.
  • Okla.'s jobless rate continues to improve in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-10 22:14:15)
    AP - Oklahoma's jobless rate declined to 6.7 percent in January.
  • Fed recovers, gets new look as financial regulator(AP) (2010-03-10 22:07:41)
    AP - The Federal Reserve, still dusting itself off from a fight that threatened to trim its powers, could emerge from a congressional overhaul of banking rules as the top cop over the nation's largest financial institutions.
  • US Senate adopts aid for unemployed(AFP) (2010-03-10 22:00:53)
    AFP - The US Senate on Wednesday adopted a 140-billion-dollar raft of measures aimed at shoring up unemployment benefits and setting out tax breaks to spur job creation.
  • Senate passes $149 bln for jobless aid, tax breaks(Reuters) (2010-03-10 21:34:19)
    Reuters - The Senate on Wednesday passed a $149 billion package of jobless aid and tax breaks, as Democrats continued efforts to lower the 9.7 percent unemployment rate before congressional elections in November.
  • Senate passes jobless aid, business tax breaks(AP) (2010-03-10 20:44:22)
    AP - The Senate voted Wednesday to extend a host of soon-to-expire elements of last year's economic stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor.
  • Maine jobless rate rises to 8.2 percent in January(AP) (2010-03-10 20:38:20)
    AP - The Maine Labor Department says unemployment in Maine rose in January to 8.2 percent.
  • Colorado unemployment rate edges up to 7.4 percent(AP) (2010-03-10 20:33:00)
    AP - Colorado's unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point in January to 7.4 percent, the state Department of Labor and Employment said Wednesday.
  • Calif.'s unemployment rate 5th highest in nation(AP) (2010-03-10 20:25:47)
    AP - New federal labor data show that California's unemployment rate remains the fifth highest in the nation.
  • Senate passes $149 billion for jobless aid, tax breaks(Reuters) (2010-03-10 20:22:36)
    Reuters - The Senate on Wednesday approved a $149 billion package of jobless aid and tax breaks as Democrats continued efforts to bring down the 9.7 percent unemployment rate before the November congressional elections.
  • Summary Box: Unemployment rises in 30 states(AP) (2010-03-10 20:20:18)
    AP - JOBS SCARCE: The unemployment rate rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, as jobs remain scarce across the country.
  • NJ unemployment rate down slightly in January(AP) (2010-03-10 19:44:48)
    AP - State labor officials say New Jersey's unemployment rate dropped slightly in January, but is still higher than the national rate.
  • Geithner vows to continue financial stabilization(Reuters) (2010-03-10 19:41:10)
    Reuters - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Tuesday said the Obama administration's strategy to halt recession and contain the financial crisis has been effective, but vowed to continue stabilization efforts.
  • Wholesale inventories fall, restocking expected(Reuters) (2010-03-10 18:45:06)
    Reuters - U.S. wholesale inventories fell unexpectedly in January and sales hit their highest in more than a year, suggesting businesses will soon need to begin restocking, which would support economic growth.
  • Highest, lowest state jobless rates at a glance(AP) (2010-03-10 18:42:29)
    AP - The Labor Department on Wednesday said that unemployment rates rose in 30 states in January, as jobs remain scarce across the country.
  • Speedway Motorsports 4Q loss widens(AP) (2010-03-10 18:40:54)
    AP - Speedway Motorsports Inc. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter loss widened as tough economic conditions depressed revenue from racing events and expenses grew.
  • Parkinson calls Kan. jobless rate `discouraging'(AP) (2010-03-10 18:11:20)
    AP - Gov. Mark Parkinson called Kansas' first unemployment report for 2010 "discouraging," urging legislators Wednesday to put politics aside in finding solutions.
  • Unemployment rises in 30 states in January(AP) (2010-03-10 17:54:29)
    AP - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
  • Alabama jobless rate rises to 11.1 percent in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-10 16:58:53)
    AP - Alabama's January unemployment rate rose to 11.1 percent, the highest mark in 26 years and a level that may increase again this spring.
  • SC unemployment rate ties record high in January(AP) (2010-03-10 16:55:43)
    AP - South Carolina's unemployment rate tied its record high in January at 12.6 percent, and jobless numbers went up in all of the state's 46 counties, according to data released Wednesday.
  • Indiana jobless rate holds at 9.7 percent in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-10 16:48:40)
    AP - Indiana's unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent for January as some 327,000 people were looking for work.
  • Nebraska jobless rate 4.6 pct in January(AP) (2010-03-10 16:39:14)
    AP - State officials say Nebraska's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in January, still less than half the national rate of 9.7 percent.
  • Wholesale inventories fall, sales surge(Reuters) (2010-03-10 15:16:10)
    Reuters - U.S. wholesale inventories fell modestly in January, while sales rose to their highest level since October 2008, suggesting that inventories would continue to support economic growth in the first quarter.
  • Wholesale inventories fall while sales increase(AP) (2010-03-10 15:03:20)
    AP - Businesses trimmed inventories at the wholesale level again in January even though sales rose for a 10th consecutive month. The dip in inventories underscored that businesses remain cautious about restocking their depleted shelves.
  • Home loan demand nudges higher in latest week(Reuters) (2010-03-10 15:00:52)
    Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications nudged higher last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
  • Regulators tell banks to restrict dividends, buybacks: report(Reuters) (2010-03-10 13:40:58)
    Reuters - Shareholders may have to wait for months to retrieve capital after U.S. regulators told banks not to increase dividends or buy back shares amid political and economic uncertainty surrounding the financial industry, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
  • GDP seen slowing, tying Fed hands on rates(Reuters) (2010-03-10 13:25:36)
    Reuters - After a growth spurt at the end of 2009, the U.S. economy will slow in the months ahead, keeping the Federal Reserve from raising borrowing costs until the final three months of the year, a Reuters poll showed.
  • GDP to slow in Q1, Fed rates on hold to Q3: poll(Reuters) (2010-03-10 13:04:07)
    Reuters - After a growth spurt at the end of 2009, the U.S. economy will slow in the months ahead, keeping the Federal Reserve from raising borrowing costs until the final three months of the year, a Reuters poll showed.
  • Home loan demand nudge higher in latest week(Reuters) (2010-03-10 12:42:50)
    Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications nudged up last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
  • European stocks edge ahead as investors await data(AFP) (2010-03-10 12:24:28)
    AFP - Europe's leading stock markets nudged higher on Wednesday as traders awaited key US economic data and assessed the latest batch of company results.
  • Ahead of the Bell: February budget deficit(AP) (2010-03-10 11:19:33)
    AP - Economists believe that the federal budget deficit through the first five months of the budget year is running at a record-breaking pace, with the February imbalance likely to climb to the highest level this fiscal year.
  • UK's Brown paves way for election with budget date(AP) (2010-03-10 10:56:31)
    AP - Britain's economic recovery remains fragile, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Wednesday, as he paved the way for a national election by announcing the government's budget would be published in two weeks.
  • Brown says UK to maintain AAA credit rating(Reuters) (2010-03-10 10:38:53)
    Reuters - Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday he believed Britain would maintain its coveted top credit rating and announced a pay freeze for top civil servants to help tame a record deficit.
  • German January exports up 0.2 percent on year(AP) (2010-03-10 10:33:00)
    AP - Official data shows German January exports improved 0.2 percent compared with January 2009 but declined a sharp 6.3 percent from December.
  • Strong China trade data point to rise in yuan(Reuters) (2010-03-10 09:41:34)
    Reuters - Chinese exports and imports grew faster than expected in February, underlining the momentum behind the world's third-largest economy and reinforcing the case for a rise in the yuan.
  • China plans new trade office as global disputes grow: sources(Reuters) (2010-03-10 08:25:29)
    Reuters - China is setting up a new agency to help streamline its trade negotiating bureaucracy as the world's third-largest economy faces a growing number of commercial disputes.
  • UK's Brown warns of new economic woes(AP) (2010-03-10 08:24:04)
    AP - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warns that the U.K. may suffer another economic downturn, including a possible dip back into recession.
  • Highlights of Senate jobless aid bill(AP) (2010-03-10 08:19:40)
    AP - Highlights of Senate legislation extending unemployment insurance and expired tax breaks:
  • Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks(AP) (2010-03-10 08:19:08)
    AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.
  • Strong China trade data make case for firmer yuan(Reuters) (2010-03-10 07:27:24)
    Reuters - Chinese exports and imports grew faster than expected in February, underlining the momentum behind the world's third-largest economy and reinforcing the case for a rise in the yuan.
  • UK PM Brown warns of bumpy economic road ahead(Reuters) (2010-03-10 06:20:26)
    Reuters - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sees risks to the economic recovery and says it is not the moment to change course as he prepares for an election by June.
  • Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast(Reuters) (2010-03-10 05:40:59)
    Reuters - U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
  • US to expose trade barriers in new report(AFP) (2010-03-10 04:38:22)
    AFP - The United States said it would expose "troublesome" foreign trade barriers in a strategy to prise open markets for doubling American exports to ease an unemployment crisis at home.
  • Gas price rises seen gentler on consumer wallets(AP) (2010-03-10 00:26:22)
    AP - As the economy recovers, energy prices are rising and that is placing extra strain on families' budgets.
  • Job openings up sharply in January to 2.7M(AP) (2010-03-09 23:43:05)
    AP - Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, evidence that employers are slowly ramping up hiring as the economy improves.
  • Texas Instruments CEO pay up 2 percent to $9.8M(AP) (2010-03-09 23:27:16)
    AP - Chip maker Texas Instruments Inc.'s CEO's compensation edged up in 2009, according to calculations by the Associated Press, a recession year that proved difficult for the chipmaker.
  • Bristol-Myers CEO's 2009 compensation down 22 pct(AP) (2010-03-09 22:42:07)
    AP - The Associated Press has found the chief executive of drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. saw his 2009 compensation fall by 22 percent amid the recession.
  • Jobless aid measure clears Senate hurdle(AP) (2010-03-09 22:37:03)
    AP - Legislation to give additional months of unemployment benefits to people who have been out of a job for more than half a year cleared a key hurdle Tuesday that guarantees it will soon pass the Senate.
  • Greek PM welcomes Obama backing to take on speculators(AFP) (2010-03-09 22:06:36)
    AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said Tuesday he had won a pledge from US President Barack Obama to take on the issue of speculators blamed for deepening Greece's economic crisis.
  • SEC chief economist leaving(AP) (2010-03-09 21:55:01)
    AP - The chief economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who is an expert on the financial instruments that figured largely in the 2008 crisis, is leaving his position for the private sector.
  • Job openings rise sharply(AP) (2010-03-09 21:31:34)
    AP - Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, evidence that employers are slowly ramping up hiring as the economy improves.
  • W.House's Romer: Too soon for spending clamp-down(Reuters) (2010-03-09 21:09:55)
    Reuters - Clamping down on spending now to cut the gaping U.S. budget deficit would be "pound-foolish" and derail the economic recovery, a top White House economic adviser said on Tuesday.
  • Kroger 4Q profit falls 27 percent; margins shrink(AP) (2010-03-09 20:47:05)
    AP - The Kroger Co. is sacrificing some profits to court financially strapped shoppers who are buying more groceries at lower prices, counting on them to keep coming back when better economic days finally arrive.
  • Jobless aid, tax breaks clear Senate hurdle(Reuters) (2010-03-09 20:32:10)
    Reuters - Democratic efforts to spur job creation advanced in Congress on Tuesday as a $149 billion package of tax breaks and unemployment aid cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate.
  • U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31(Reuters) (2010-03-09 20:15:45)
    Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday.
  • Greek PM meets Obama amid finance crisis(AFP) (2010-03-09 19:52:50)
    AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou held talks Tuesday with President Barack Obama seeking US action against speculators he says are deepening his country's financial crisis.
  • IRS eases rules on tax settlements(AP) (2010-03-09 18:58:03)
    AP - As tax day approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is giving agents more flexibility to work with taxpayers who have seen their incomes drop during the recession.
  • United Technologies cuts CEO compensation(AP) (2010-03-09 18:09:05)
    AP - United Technologies Corp. cut CEO Louis Chenevert's compensation nearly 19 percent last year, according to a document it filed with federal regulators. The company praised his performance but said the recession hurt the conglomerate, especially its aerospace business.
  • Cisco unveils system for super-fast Internet(AFP) (2010-03-09 18:07:57)
    AFP - Cisco Systems on Tuesday unveiled super-fast Internet hardware that promises to boost US competitiveness and bolster economic recovery by moving mountains of data at astounding speeds.
  • Greek PM to meet Obama amid finance crisis(AFP) (2010-03-09 18:05:47)
    AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou Tuesday enters talks with President Barack Obama seeking not a handout but US action against speculators that he says are deepening his country's financial crisis.
  • Consumer confidence lowest since March 2009: IBD(Reuters) (2010-03-09 15:02:49)
    Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence fell in March to its lowest level in a year, as high unemployment and the ways in which the government is using taxpayer money draw mounting apprehension in households, a research group said on Tuesday.
  • Fed's Evans says labor market weakness pervasive(Reuters) (2010-03-09 14:47:35)
    Reuters - Weak U.S. labor markets are likely to justify easy money policies for quite a while longer, a top Federal Reserve official said on Tuesday.
  • White House's Romer: Too soon for spending clamp-down(Reuters) (2010-03-09 13:52:26)
    Reuters - The gaping U.S. budget deficit is cause for concern but clamping down on spending immediately would be "pound-foolish" and derail the recovery, a top White House economic adviser said on Tuesday.
  • Management Education on the Fly(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-09 13:08:46)
    BusinessWeek - Who got us into this mess? It's not just greedy mortgage lenders and irresponsible economists who are responsible for the current financial crisis. Leaders, so called, have played a role too, by not managing their companies and so being detached from what was going on in them. And behind much of this has been an educational process that encouraged such detachment. As I've argued at length in my book, Managers not MBAs, the MBA is fine education -- but in the functions of business, not the exercise of managing. ...
  • German bankruptcies up 15.5 pct in December(AP) (2010-03-09 12:59:00)
    AP - German corporate bankruptcies rose in 2009 for the first time in six years, with filings up 15.5 percent on the year in December in the wake of recession, government data showed Tuesday.
  • Deutsche Post 2010 outlook misses estimates(Reuters) (2010-03-09 11:12:43)
    Reuters - Deutsche Post DHL (DPWGn.DE) unveiled a conservative financial strategy that focuses on saving cash to safeguard its credit rating and gave a 2010 earnings outlook that missed market expectations.
  • Britain's trade deficit widens(AP) (2010-03-09 10:43:34)
    AP - Britain's trade deficit with the rest of the world widened unexpectedly in January after lower sales of chemicals and other commodities led a drop in exports.
  • Senate to take up unemployment insurance extension(AP) (2010-03-09 08:17:20)
    AP - Legislation extending unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless faces a key test vote in the Senate, its momentum helped by about 60 popular tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired at the end of last year.
  • Deutsche Post sees profit rising(Reuters) (2010-03-09 08:01:16)
    Reuters - Deutsche Post DHL said a global economic recovery and cost cuts will help it boost its core profit this year, as it halted a slide in revenues last year and demand for air freight and mail started to improve.
  • China says committed to U.S. debt, wary on gold(Reuters) (2010-03-09 07:27:40)
    Reuters - China, the world's biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, renewed its commitment to the U.S. Treasury market on Tuesday but said it would be wary of substantially boosting its gold holdings.
  • Deutsche Post sees 2010, 2011 core profit rising(Reuters) (2010-03-09 06:24:03)
    Reuters - Deutsche Post DHL (DPWGn.DE) said a global economic recovery and cost cuts will help it boost its core profit this year and in 2011.
  • Obama, Greek PM set to discuss financial reforms(AFP) (2010-03-09 04:55:16)
    AFP - US President Barack Obama and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou are set to hold talks on economic issues amid concerns that speculators are undermining Greece's efforts to overcome a severe debt crisis.
  • China calls U.S. Treasuries important, wary on gold(Reuters) (2010-03-09 04:11:36)
    Reuters - China, the world's biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, renewed its commitment to the U.S. Treasury market on Tuesday but said it would be wary of adding to its gold holdings.
  • Greece urging US to better regulate hedge funds(AP) (2010-03-08 23:52:42)
    AP - Greece is urging the United States to step up regulation of hedge funds that Athens blames for making Greece's economic crisis worse.
  • Rates rise at weekly Treasury auction(AP) (2010-03-08 23:18:33)
    AP - Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills rose in Monday's auction with rates on three-month bills rising to their highest level in more than six months.
  • China faces new pressure to let currency rise(AP) (2010-03-08 22:14:47)
    AP - China faces mounting pressure from trading partners to loosen currency controls and is giving signs it might raise the value of the yuan to ease strains on its fast-growing economy.
  • Greek PM hopes to reform economy(AP) (2010-03-08 20:46:53)
    AP - Greece's prime minister is hoping his trip to Washington will boost efforts to get his country out of a financial crisis. But Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that Greece is not asking for any specific help from Washington.
  • A look at global economic developments(AP) (2010-03-08 20:44:54)
    AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Monday:
  • Clinton: Greece has not asked US for economic aid(AP) (2010-03-08 20:36:29)
    AP - The United States says Greece is not looking for any specific help from Washington in solving its financial crisis.
  • Nev. jobless rate remains at 13 percent in January(AP) (2010-03-08 20:28:15)
    AP - Nevada's statewide unemployment rate remained at 13 percent in January, but the largest metropolitan areas saw increases because of the loss of seasonal holiday workers and slow construction activity, the state reported Monday.
  • EU, ECB lock horns over IMF-style rescue fund(Reuters) (2010-03-08 18:28:42)
    Reuters - European policymakers came out in support of a rescue fund that would mark a new phase of economic cooperation within the 16-nation euro zone, setting them on a potential collision course with its central bank.
  • Jobs outlook may be too optimistic: SF Fed study(Reuters) (2010-03-08 18:02:12)
    Reuters - The widely held outlook that U.S. unemployment will ease this year may be overly rosy if companies continue to boost productivity at faster-than-usual levels, economists from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank said in a study released on Monday.
  • Some American Jews sit out recession in Israel(Reuters) (2010-03-08 17:38:13)
    Reuters - Fed up with the tough job market, some young American Jews are choosing to wait out the recession in Israel, where the government heavily subsidizes their stay while they intern, learn Hebrew or volunteer.
  • US may raise rates within six months: survey(AFP) (2010-03-08 17:38:06)
    AFP - The US Federal Reserve is expected to hike benchmark interest rates within six months as the economy recovers from one of the most brutal recessions, a poll among economists showed Monday.
  • FDIC's Bair eyes low interest rates, more lending(Reuters) (2010-03-08 17:02:49)
    Reuters - U.S. banking regulator Sheila Bair said on Monday that a low interest rate policy is "clearly appropriate" to get credit flowing, while also saying regulators should stop short of ordering banks to lend.
  • Greek PM seeks US, EU help in reforming economy(AP) (2010-03-08 16:37:17)
    AP - Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou is urging the United States and Europe to help as it seeks to address its financial crisis and reform its economy.
  • New York Fed says to expand firms for reverse repos(Reuters) (2010-03-08 16:36:11)
    Reuters - The U.S. Federal Reserve is taking an additional measure to lay the groundwork to drain excess bank reserves, as it seeks to remove some of the $1 trillion in cash it injected during the global credit crisis.
  • US eases Cuba, Iran, Sudan sanctions to allow Web services(AFP) (2010-03-08 16:21:14)
    AFP - The US Treasury Department eased sanctions on Cuba, Iran and Sudan on Monday to allow exports of Internet communications services such as instant messaging, email and social networks.
  • Fed launches reverse repurchase agreement program(AP) (2010-03-08 16:21:04)
    AP - The Federal Reserve is beginning a program to drain some of the unprecedented liquidity it added to markets during the credit crisis.
  • US may raise rates within six months: survey(AFP/File) (2010-03-08 16:14:07)
    AFP/File - The US Federal Reserve is expected to hike benchmark interest rates within six months as the economy recovers from one of the most brutal recessions, a poll among economists showed Monday.
  • W.House confident over June deadline for Fed picks(Reuters) (2010-03-08 15:54:40)
    Reuters - The White House is confident it will meet a June deadline for making appointments to fill vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board, spokesman Bill Burton said on Monday.
  • Job market gauge up for 6th straight month(Reuters) (2010-03-08 15:13:38)
    Reuters - The U.S. job market continued to improve in February for the sixth consecutive month, largely due to a strong recovery in manufacturing production, a research group said on Monday.
  • Congressional budget director sees bleak outlook(Reuters) (2010-03-08 15:03:47)
    Reuters - The director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday said the U.S. fiscal outlook is "bleak," with a worrisome rise in debt levels looking likely.
  • FDIC's Bair says low interest rates "appropriate"(Reuters) (2010-03-08 14:54:27)
    Reuters - A low interest rate policy is "clearly appropriate" due to the still struggling economy, a top U.S. bank regulator said on Monday, while also expressing frustration that banks are not doing enough to get credit flowing.
  • EU considers creating IMF-style rescue fund(Reuters) (2010-03-08 14:45:48)
    Reuters - The European Union is considering creating a rescue fund that could herald fundamental changes in the 27-country bloc and bring closer economic cooperation following Greece's debt crisis.
  • German Jan industrial production up 0.6 pct on Dec(AP) (2010-03-08 12:42:27)
    AP - Official data shows German industrial output rose 0.6 percent in January from December as an increase in the manufacture of some products offset a decline in construction due to harsh winter weather.
  • China banker says local govt debt may be bank risk(AP) (2010-03-08 11:45:11)
    AP - China's banks might face risks if finance arms set up by local governments to invest in real estate and infrastructure projects cannot repay heavy borrowing, a deputy central bank governor said Monday.
  • China cautions against expecting fast yuan rise(Reuters) (2010-03-08 10:04:57)
    Reuters - Any rise in the yuan's exchange rate will be gradual, China's trade chief said on Monday in comments that underline the competing interests at the heart of Chinese policy-making.
  • Volcker: higher inflation target idea "nonsense"(Reuters) (2010-03-08 08:47:37)
    Reuters - The idea, floated by IMF economists, that central banks could raise their inflation targets is nonsense, White House economic adviser Paul Volcker said in a German newspaper interview published on Monday.
  • SKorean finance chief warns against rate increase(AP) (2010-03-08 06:13:03)
    AP - South Korea's finance minister warned Monday the country's economic recovery remains too fragile to withstand an increase in borrowing costs from a record low, cautioning the central bank just days ahead of a rate-setting policy meeting.
  • Senators wrestle with Fed bank oversight issues(Reuters) (2010-03-08 06:12:57)
    Reuters - The Federal Reserve could retain oversight of large bank holding companies under a scaled-back regulatory reform plan being considered by key senators, but important questions remained unanswered, lobbyists said on Sunday.
  • Economists see Fed rate hike in 6 months(Reuters) (2010-03-08 05:24:42)
    Reuters - Most U.S. business economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates within six months by between a quarter and a half percentage point, according to a survey released on Monday.
  • Business economists see Fed rate hike in 6 months(Reuters) (2010-03-08 05:01:50)
    Reuters - Most U.S. business economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates within six months by between a quarter and a half percentage point, according to a survey released on Monday.
  • Talk of China giving up on dollar is nonsense: banker(Reuters) (2010-03-08 02:57:18)
    Reuters - Any speculation that China might stop supporting the dollar in the next few years is absolute nonsense, a top state banker said.
  • Days of "special" yuan policy numbered: China c.bank(Reuters) (2010-03-08 01:12:36)
    Reuters - China flagged on Saturday it will let the yuan resume its rise at some point as it unwinds the super-loose policies it has been pursuing to prop up the world's third-largest economy.
  • Summary Box: Economists clash, sow confusion(AP) (2010-03-07 20:08:58)
    AP - THE PROBLEM: A clash among Wall Streeters on the future of the economy and stocks is making investors nervous, confused.
  • Diviners Divided: Economists clash, sow confusion(AP) (2010-03-07 20:07:42)
    AP - If you're confused about the outlook for the economy and stocks one year after the market hit bottom, then you've got good company — the Wall Street economists and strategists who are supposed to have this all figured out.
  • Iceland seeks swift new Anglo-Dutch debt accord(Reuters) (2010-03-07 18:14:16)
    Reuters - Iceland's government pledged on Sunday to restart talks and swiftly reach a new debt accord with Britain and Netherlands, a day after Icelanders crushed in a referendum the previous $5 billion "Icesave" deal.
  • Haiti rebuilding plan expected this week(Reuters) (2010-03-07 16:07:31)
    Reuters - Government planners and international experts are racing to produce a blueprint this week to reconstruct Haiti's economy after the earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and devastated its infrastructure.
  • Chips are down for US casinos as revenues slide(AFP) (2010-03-07 08:27:44)
    AFP - US casinos have run into a string of bad luck as the recession and other factors cut into gambling revenues, even as more states move to get a piece of the action.
  • Partisan bickering in Washington is nothing new(AP) (2010-03-07 03:58:57)
    AP - The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue — from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy — there's little or no effort to find common ground.
  • Partisanship's bad now in Washington? Think again(AP) (2010-03-07 01:21:10)
    AP - The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue — from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy — there's little or no effort to find common ground.
  • Icelanders reject deal to repay British and Dutch(Reuters) (2010-03-06 22:57:28)
    Reuters - Icelandic voters vented their fury on Saturday at the bankers and politicians who ruined their economy, overwhelmingly rejecting a $5 billion deal to repay debts to Britain and the Netherlands, early results showed.
  • In Europe, Volcker makes case for bank trading limits(Reuters) (2010-03-06 18:02:59)
    Reuters - Commercial banks will come to resemble hedge funds over time unless new rules are introduced setting limits on proprietary trading, White House economic adviser Paul Volcker said on Saturday.
  • Partisanship's bad now in Washington? Try again(AP) (2010-03-06 15:11:20)
    AP - The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue — from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy — there's little or no effort to find common ground.
  • A furious health care push — but what about jobs?(AP) (2010-03-06 14:53:15)
    AP - President Barack Obama's furious, final push to get a health care bill passed threatens to shove aside the message he promised would top his list this year: creating jobs.
  • Greek drama needs political solution, even IMF: Italy(Reuters) (2010-03-06 12:07:25)
    Reuters - The crisis in Greece affects the whole of Europe and requires a political solution, which could even include a role for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Italy's Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti said on Saturday.
  • Iceland votes over foreign debts, economy at risk(Reuters) (2010-03-06 11:07:35)
    Reuters - Icelanders voted in a referendum on Saturday on a $5 billion deal to repay Anglo-Dutch loans, with an expected resounding "No" set to further delay foreign aid and hopes for economic recovery.
  • China says it will move cautiously on currency(AP) (2010-03-06 09:06:41)
    AP - China's central bank governor acknowledged Saturday that Beijing is using its controversial exchange-rate controls to cope with the global economic crisis and said it will be cautious about retreating from the policy.
  • Partisanship comes in waves at US turning points(AP) (2010-03-06 08:56:53)
    AP - The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue — from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy — there's little or no effort to find common ground.
  • Banks shuttered in Fla., Ill., Md., Utah(AP) (2010-03-06 02:15:50)
    AP - Regulators on Friday shuttered banks in Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Utah, boosting to 26 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year following the 140 brought down in 2009 by mounting loan defaults and the recession.
  • China central bank to keep yuan basically stable(Reuters) (2010-03-06 01:41:24)
    Reuters - China's central bank pledged on Saturday to keep the yuan's exchange rate basically stable in 2010 and said it will enhance coordination with its foreign counterparts on major policy issues.
  • Banks shuttered in Fla., Ill., Md.(AP) (2010-03-06 00:24:55)
    AP - Regulators on Friday shuttered banks in Florida, Illinois and Maryland, boosting to 25 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year following the 140 brought down in 2009 by mounting loan defaults and the recession.
  • Iowa economist predicts improvement by summer(AP) (2010-03-06 00:10:29)
    AP - A leading economist who advises Gov. Chet Culver predicted Friday that Iowa's economy will stay flat for much of the spring but should perk up by summer.
  • Business Highlights(AP) (2010-03-05 23:18:15)
    AP - Unemployment rate unchanged as 36K jobs lost
  • Resounding "No" expected in Iceland referendum(Reuters) (2010-03-05 23:11:54)
    Reuters - Icelanders vote in a referendum on Saturday on a $5 billion deal to repay Anglo-Dutch loans, with an expected resounding "No" set to further delay foreign aid and hopes for economic recovery.
  • Fla. bank shuttered, 23rd US bank closure in 2010(AP) (2010-03-05 23:03:10)
    AP - Regulators have shut down a bank in Florida, boosting to 23 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year following the 140 brought down in 2009 by mounting loan defaults and the recession.
  • Snow job: Estimates of weather's impact miss mark(AP) (2010-03-05 22:44:23)
    AP - Armed with spreadsheets, mathematical formulas and historical comparisons, legions of economists sought to forecast the impact of last month's snowstorms on the government's employment report.
  • Pfizer CEO got $13.7 million in 2009 compensation(AP) (2010-03-05 22:39:06)
    AP - The chief executive of drug giant Pfizer Inc., Jeffrey Kindler, received a 2009 compensation package valued by The Associated Press at $13.7 million, down 7.6 percent from 2008, as the board reduced the stock awards he received, citing economic pressures.
  • Employment data lift hopes but where are the jobs?(AP) (2010-03-05 22:35:54)
    AP - At last, the unemployment crisis seems to be easing. That's the good news.
  • Norfolk Southern CEO makes $10.9 million in 2009(AP) (2010-03-05 22:21:57)
    AP - The CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp. received $10.9 million in compensation for 2009, 9 percent less than the prior year as the railroad operator grappled with the economic downturn, according to an Associated Press analysis of a regulatory filing Friday.
  • Economy 101: Hiring index nears turning point(AP) (2010-03-05 22:05:53)
    AP - An index that measures the breadth of hiring among private industries is nearing a turning point that could signal consistent job gains.
  • Consumer credit posts first rise in a year(Reuters) (2010-03-05 21:59:09)
    Reuters - Total U.S. consumer credit rose $4.96 billion in January, its first rise in a year and the largest for any month since mid-2008, Federal Reserve data showed on Friday.
  • US consumer credit rises first time in a year(AFP) (2010-03-05 21:52:20)
    AFP - Borrowings by Americans rose for the first time in a year in January, the Federal Reserve said Friday in a sign that the US economic recovery is on track.
  • Calif. jobless rate rises to 12.5 percent in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-05 21:04:00)
    AP - California's unemployment rate grew slightly to 12.5 percent in January, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. But the state also revised its December job numbers to show that about 300,000 additional jobs were lost last month.
  • White House's Romer says not in line for Fed job(Reuters) (2010-03-05 20:51:32)
    Reuters - White House advisor Christina Romer, considered a top candidate for the job of Federal Reserve Vice Chairman, said on Friday she wants to stay in her current role.
  • Consumer borrowing up in January after 11 declines(AP) (2010-03-05 20:27:48)
    AP - Consumer borrowing broke a record stretch of declines with a small increase in January as a boost in auto loans offset continued weakness in credit card borrowing.
  • Summary Box: Unemployment rate remains at 9.7 pct.(AP) (2010-03-05 20:26:48)
    AP - WORST OVER?: The jobless rate held at 9.7 percent in February, and the economy lost a net 36,000 jobs, a better-than-expected showing. Some economists had predicted deeper job cuts due to severe snowstorms.
  • Oil settles above $81 on US jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 20:15:53)
    AP - The government jobs report for February that came out Friday raised hopes that the economy may slowly be healing. It also raised oil and wholesale gasoline prices closer to their highs for the year.
  • Metals, oil rise on upbeat view of recovery(AP) (2010-03-05 20:10:03)
    AP - Industrial metals and oil rose Friday after a better-than-expected monthly jobs report boosted hopes for an economic recovery.
  • GE's CEO declines bonus for 2nd year(AP) (2010-03-05 19:56:10)
    AP - General Electric Co. said Friday that Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt did not receive 2009 bonus, the second straight year he gave up extra pay as the industrial and financial conglomerate struggled with one of its worst years on record.
  • US jobless rate holds at 9.7 percent despite storms(AFP) (2010-03-05 19:51:55)
    AFP - The US economy shed fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent despite severe winter storms, a government report said Friday, suggesting the labor market is stabilizing.
  • Bumpy ride for corporate giving amid recession(Reuters) (2010-03-05 19:43:19)
    Reuters - Giving by U.S. companies endured the worst recession in decades with mixed results as some pared back philanthropy in the face of tough times, others increased budgets and most predicted a steady 2010.
  • US unemployment rate holds at 9.7 percent despite storms(AFP) (2010-03-05 17:54:37)
    AFP - The United States lost fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate stayed at 9.7 percent despite severe winter storms, the government said Friday.
  • Oil resumes climb on US jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 17:37:41)
    AP - The government jobs report for February that came out Friday raised hopes that the economy may slowly be healing. It also raised oil and wholesale gasoline prices closer to their highs for the year.
  • RI unemployment rate holds steady at 12.7 percent(AP) (2010-03-05 16:36:41)
    AP - Rhode Island's unemployment rate held steady at 12.7 percent in January, but joblessness here still outpaced the rest of the nation.
  • Ohio reports 10.8 pct unemployment rate for Jan.(AP) (2010-03-05 16:32:23)
    AP - Joblessness is holding steady in Ohio.
  • US unemployment rate steady at 9.7 percent despite storms(AFP) (2010-03-05 16:25:04)
    AFP - The United States lost fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the government said Friday, cautioning the data may be skewed by winter storms.
  • Payrolls data buoy job creation hopes(Reuters) (2010-03-05 15:53:42)
    Reuters - U.S. employers cut fewer jobs than expected during snow-battered February and the unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent, bolstering views the economy was on the brink of creating jobs.
  • Unemployment rate unchanged as 36K jobs lost(AP) (2010-03-05 14:52:55)
    AP - The unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent in February as employers shed 36,000 jobs, fewer than expected. The figures suggested the job market is slowly healing but that significant hiring has yet to occur.
  • US jobless rate holds steady, despite winter storms(AFP) (2010-03-05 14:48:38)
    AFP - The United States lost 36,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the government said in a better-than-expected report Friday that may be skewed by winter storms.
  • Upper-income households report less distress(Reuters) (2010-03-05 14:48:21)
    Reuters - Sentiment of U.S. households in the top fifth of the income distribution improved in early 2010 compared with 2009, but worries over personal finances persist, a survey showed on Friday.
  • German industrial orders surge in January(AP) (2010-03-05 14:35:41)
    AP - German industrial orders increased by an unexpectedly strong 4.3 percent on the month in January amid a broad-based rise in demand, particularly at home, government data showed Friday.
  • Economy sheds 36,000 jobs, weather impact unclear(Reuters) (2010-03-05 14:25:26)
    Reuters - U.S. employers cut a smaller than expected 36,000 jobs in February, leaving the unemployment rate steady at 9.7 percent, bolstering views the labor market was on the brink of creating jobs.
  • (AP) (2010-03-05 13:31:09)
    AP - Unemployment rate unchanged at 9.7 percent as employers cut 36,000 jobs.
  • Blizzards seen slamming payrolls in February(Reuters) (2010-03-05 12:54:40)
    Reuters - The number of people working in the United States likely fell in February as winter storms that pounded parts of the country kept some workers at home but a swift recovery is expected in March.
  • Iceland gets some rare upbeat news on eve of vote(Reuters) (2010-03-05 10:37:16)
    Reuters - Iceland's economy grew briskly in the latest quarter, its best performance since the country's financial system nearly collapsed in 2008 and a rare dose of positive news ahead of a referendum over foreign debts.
  • Angry Icelanders set to reject Icesave deal(Reuters) (2010-03-05 07:11:59)
    Reuters - Icelanders are set to reject the terms for repaying Anglo-Dutch debts in a referendum on Saturday, forcing new negotiations with creditors and delaying financial aid the country needs to fix its shattered economy.
  • Blizzards seen slamming U.S. payrolls in February(Reuters) (2010-03-05 05:24:06)
    Reuters - The number of people working in the United States likely fell in February as winter storms that pounded parts of the country kept some workers at home but a swift recovery is expected in March.
  • Snow expected to cloud February employment report(AP) (2010-03-05 05:01:42)
    AP - The government's closely watched monthly employment report will be unusually hard to read this time.
  • China, wary over economy, to steer steady course(Reuters) (2010-03-05 03:54:38)
    Reuters - China will seek to heal social rifts and spur home-driven growth with more public welfare and rural spending even as the government tightens its belt after a burst of feverish spending, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday.
  • China promises strong growth in 'crucial year'(AP) (2010-03-05 03:49:03)
    AP - China's Premier Wen Jiabao promised strong growth this year and said the government will combat inflation and risks to banks to keep the rebound in the world's third-largest economy on track.
  • China eyes 11 percent industrial output growth this year(Reuters) (2010-03-05 03:41:51)
    Reuters - China must have 11 percent industrial output growth this year to achieve its GDP target of 8 percent, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong said on Friday.
  • Fewer discounts help U.S. stores weather February snow(Reuters) (2010-03-05 00:44:55)
    Reuters - U.S. retailers posted their best monthly sales performance since just before the recession started in 2007, as lean inventories meant they did not need to resort to steep discounts.
  • Fed's Bullard impatient about Fed rate pledge(Reuters) (2010-03-05 00:42:06)
    Reuters - A second senior Federal Reserve official on Thursday joined the ranks of those doubting whether the Fed should continue to commit to hold rates exceptionally low for an extended period, a sign pressures are building to drop the wording.
  • US, India set to launch economic partnership(AFP) (2010-03-04 23:10:15)
    AFP - The United States and India will launch an economic and financial partnership next month, with a permanent cabinet-level bilateral dialogue a key feature, the US Treasury said Thursday.
  • US House passes 15-billion-dollar jobs bill(AFP) (2010-03-04 23:01:00)
    AFP - The House of Representatives passed Thursday a 15-billion-dollar bill to help reduce the stubbornly high US unemployment rate, which has held for several months at nearly 10 percent.
  • House passes jobs bill despite doubts(AP) (2010-03-04 23:00:54)
    AP - Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it will create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break. The measure passed 217-201 on a mostly party-line vote. The bill also extends federal highway programs through the end of the year.
  • Lower interest rates? Not in the (credit) cards(AP) (2010-03-04 22:53:59)
    AP - It sounds like a victory for credit card users — a rule that would require banks to review any interest rate hikes every six months, and lower rates when appropriate.
  • Retail sales post strongest gains since late 2007(AP) (2010-03-04 22:28:18)
    AP - Shoppers returned to the nation's malls last month, buying a surprising amount of spring clothing and other items and helping stores post the strongest retail sales since November 2007, a month before the recession began.
  • Fed emergency loans decline in most recent week(AP) (2010-03-04 22:25:08)
    AP - Banks borrowed less from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program over the past week, providing further evidence that strains in the private credit markets are easing.
  • Summary Box: Strong February sales(AP) (2010-03-04 21:50:55)
    AP - FEBRUARY'S SALES GAINS: Retailers reported a 3.7 percent sales gain, the strongest performance since November 2007, a month before the start of the recession, according to a trade group.
  • Summary Box: Reports show economy gaining strength(AP) (2010-03-04 21:45:38)
    AP - SIGNS OF LIFE: The economy is showing strength as retail sales surged in February by the largest amount since November 2007, factory orders rose and jobless claims dropped.
  • Geithner will head to India in April(AP) (2010-03-04 21:30:20)
    AP - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will be traveling to India next month for the first meeting of a new US-Indian economic panel.
  • U.S. right-wing groups, militias surge: study(Reuters) (2010-03-04 21:21:16)
    Reuters - The number of right-wing "Patriot" groups that see the U.S. government as their enemy more than doubled in the last year, fanned by anger over the economy and a backlash against the policies of President Barack Obama, according to a study published this week.
  • House passes tax breaks for new hires(AP) (2010-03-04 21:01:44)
    AP - Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it'll create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break.
  • Moody's upgrades ratings of Flowserve(AP) (2010-03-04 20:33:10)
    AP - Moody's Investors Service on Thursday upgraded Flowserve Corp.'s corporate family rating, saying that the maker of pumps, valves and mechanical seals is showing it can weather the recession.
  • Fed's Evans sees monetary tightening "a ways away"(Reuters) (2010-03-04 19:58:33)
    Reuters - With the economy's recovery likely to be slow and hampered by tight credit and a cautious consumer, the Federal Reserve is still far from needing to tighten its extraordinarily loose monetary policy, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans said Thursday.
  • Jobless, productivity data lift recovery hopes(Reuters) (2010-03-04 19:30:17)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing for jobless benefits fell last week, but a surprise drop in January pending home sales contracts to a 10-month low underscored the uneven nature of the economic recovery.
  • Ariz. jobless rate remains at 9.2 percent in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-04 19:08:20)
    AP - State officials report that Arizona's unemployment rate remained at 9.2 percent in January although there were 50,500 fewer jobs than the month before.
  • Economy showing strength as retail sales climb(AP) (2010-03-04 19:06:12)
    AP - The economy is showing renewed strength as retail sales surged last month and factory orders also increased. Yet there's little evidence such growth will lead to more hiring soon — unless recent gains in consumer spending force companies to add workers.
  • US sees jobless claims fall(AFP) (2010-03-04 18:12:36)
    AFP - The United States got a little respite from its unemployment woes on Thursday as the government reported fewer citizens claiming jobless benefits.
  • P&G's McDonald anchors future with new consumers(AP) (2010-03-04 17:35:54)
    AP - Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble is resisting the recession with new products and lower-price versions of standbys; it's beaten Wall Street expectations for the two quarters CEO Bob McDonald has been in charge, and sales are trending better.
  • Fed's Bullard: Adjust quantitative easing(Reuters) (2010-03-04 17:06:41)
    Reuters - The Federal Reserve should shift quantitative easing policies based on the U.S. economy's evolution, in the same way those changes guide interest rate policy, a top Fed official said on Thursday.
  • Mass. jobless rate rises to 9.5 percent in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-04 16:54:34)
    AP - The unemployment rate in Massachusetts edged up to 9.5 percent in January from a revised 9.3 percent in December.
  • Jobless claims drop, retail sales climb(AP) (2010-03-04 16:36:11)
    AP - New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the economy slowly recovers.
  • ECB inches towards end of crisis lending(Reuters) (2010-03-04 16:35:39)
    Reuters - The European Central Bank took a small step toward unwinding its extraordinary support for the euro zone economy Thursday, but it forecast a fragile recovery and left much of its cash buffer for banks in place.
  • Pending home sales unexpectedly plunge(Reuters) (2010-03-04 16:33:58)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing for jobless benefits fell last week, but a surprise decline in January pending home sales contracts to a 10-month low underscored the slow nature of the economic recovery.
  • Factory orders post 1.7 percent January rise(AP) (2010-03-04 16:03:39)
    AP - Orders to U.S. factories posted the biggest increase in four months in January, led by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft. The increase was another sign that manufacturing is helping to support the economic recovery.
  • South Dakota's jobless rate inches up in January(AP) (2010-03-04 16:01:34)
    AP - The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says South Dakota's preliminary January unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, up from 4.7 percent in December 2009.
  • Fewer discounts help stores weather February snow(Reuters) (2010-03-04 15:52:16)
    Reuters - U.S. retailers posted their best monthly sales performance in February since just before the recession started in 2007, as leaner inventories resulted in more sales at full price.
  • Retailers report strong gains for February(AP) (2010-03-04 15:28:42)
    AP - Shoppers shrugged off the snow and worries about the economy to buy spring clothing and other items at the nation's malls, resulting in the strongest retail sales gain since November 2007, a month before the recession started.
  • Jobless claims fall, productivity surges(Reuters) (2010-03-04 14:26:07)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, while productivity was stronger than initially thought in the fourth quarter, boosting hopes for the economic recovery.
  • Jobless claims drop, productivity revised higher(AP) (2010-03-04 14:17:07)
    AP - New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the economy slowly recovers.
  • Primedia posts lower 4Q profit, sales(AP) (2010-03-04 14:16:54)
    AP - Primedia Inc., which publishes consumer guides mainly for apartments and other rental properties, said Thursday its fourth-quarter net income dropped sharply as the economic downturn hurt advertising revenue.
  • New weekly US jobless claims fall(AFP) (2010-03-04 14:11:54)
    AFP - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell dramatically in the last week of February, official data showed Thursday.
  • Productivity up sharply, labor costs drop in 4Q(AP) (2010-03-04 13:55:53)
    AP - Productivity in the final three months of last year surged at a faster pace than previously thought as labor costs fell more rapidly.
  • Retailers report gains for February(AP) (2010-03-04 13:03:20)
    AP - Many retailers are reporting solid sales gains for February, even in the face of falling consumer confidence and heavy snowstorms that hammered the East Coast.
  • Bank of England leaves rates, asset program alone(AP) (2010-03-04 12:40:53)
    AP - The Bank of England took a "wait and see" stance Thursday on the country's hesitant economic recovery, holding interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent and keeping its asset-purchase program to boost the money supply on ice.
  • BoE keeps powder dry, adopts "wait and see" stance(Reuters) (2010-03-04 12:23:47)
    Reuters - The Bank of England held fire on both interest rates and quantitative easing on Thursday as it paused to assess the impact of the massive stimulus it has already injected into the economy.
  • Iceland down but not out if IMF flows delayed: central bank(Reuters) (2010-03-04 11:19:02)
    Reuters - Iceland can get by without more cash from the International Monetary Fund until it needs to refinance debt in 2011, although any big delay will hit its economy, a central banker said on Thursday.
  • BOJ's Noda rebuffs government, says no policy changes(Reuters) (2010-03-04 10:58:17)
    Reuters - Bank of Japan board member Tadao Noda rebuffed on Thursday government overtures for looser monetary policy to support the fragile economy, saying he saw no need for further easing now.
  • Iceland can get by if IMF funds delayed: central bank(Reuters) (2010-03-04 10:16:06)
    Reuters - Iceland can get by without more cash from the International Monetary Fund until it needs to refinance debt in 2011, although any big delay in foreign aid flows will hit its economy, a central banker said on Thursday.
  • Clinton in Costa Rica for regional ministers' meet(AFP) (2010-03-04 09:55:31)
    AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived early Thursday in Costa Rica to meet the country's leaders as well as ministers from Latin America to discuss economic and democracy issues.
  • Bank of England in "wait and see" mode(AP) (2010-03-04 09:30:21)
    AP - The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent and take no further action on purchasing assets to boost the money supply when it announces its monthly monetary policy decision later Thursday.
  • BOJ Noda rebuffs pressure, warns government of fiscal woes(Reuters) (2010-03-04 06:05:50)
    Reuters - Bank of Japan policy board member Tadao Noda rebuffed government pressure for fresh action, ruling out increasing the bank's bond buying and calling on the government to do its part to fix Japan's tattered finances.
  • Bank of England in 'wait and see' mode(AP) (2010-03-04 05:49:44)
    AP - The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent and take no further action on purchasing assets to boost the money supply when it announces its monthly monetary policy decision later Thursday.
  • US economy shows green shoots in winter(AFP) (2010-03-04 02:51:35)
    AFP - The US economy showed signs of green shoots in February despite blasts of wintry weather, although modest growth was patchy, data has shown ahead of a key government labor report.
  • Fed proposes limits on credit card penalty fees(AP) (2010-03-04 00:54:40)
    AP - The Federal Reserve is proposing strict limits on penalty fees that credit card companies can slap on customers for things like late payments or going over credit limits.
  • Senate rejects Social Security bonus payment(AP) (2010-03-04 00:22:29)
    AP - The Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal by President Barack Obama to give people on Social Security a $250 bonus check.
  • Summary Box: Economy grows; snowstorm impact felt(AP) (2010-03-03 22:35:17)
    AP - THE BIG CHILL: The economy continues to grow slowly, but snowstorms crimped activity along the East Coast, the Federal Reserve reported.
  • Highlights from the Fed's latest economic survey(AP) (2010-03-03 22:28:21)
    AP - Highlights from the Federal Reserve's survey of economic conditions nationwide. The survey, released Wednesday and known as the Beige Book, is based on information collected from the Fed's 12 regional bank districts.
  • Summary Box: Weak job data likely, apart from snow(AP) (2010-03-03 22:03:21)
    AP - SNOW JOB: Last month's snowstorms are expected to inflate job losses in February's unemployment report, due out Friday, by 100,000 or more. The Obama administration is downplaying the importance of the report due to the distortions.
  • White House task force hears Puerto Rico grievances(Reuters) (2010-03-03 22:01:06)
    Reuters - Puerto Ricans told a White House task force on Wednesday that persistent wrangling over the U.S. Caribbean territory's political status was hampering solutions to its worsening social and economic problems.
  • Don't blame snow: Feb. jobs data likely to be weak(AP) (2010-03-03 21:59:32)
    AP - The February jobs report to be released Friday is likely to be bleak.
  • Data points to U.S. job market nearing rebound(Reuters) (2010-03-03 21:38:33)
    Reuters - Private jobs data and a Federal Reserve report showed glimmers of improvement in the U.S. labor market last month, considered key to propelling the economic recovery, while the U.S. services sector grew at its fastest pace since the recession began.
  • Budget axes swinging across California(Reuters) (2010-03-03 21:00:55)
    Reuters - As California officials grapple with closing a $20 billion state budget gap, their local counterparts fear cuts in state financial aid -- just as they slash spending to tackle budget woes of their own.
  • Unemployment benefits: Jim Bunning relents, Senate passes extension(The Christian Science Monitor) (2010-03-03 19:07:39)
    The Christian Science Monitor - In a sprint on Tuesday night, the US Senate passed a 30-day extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits, then raced it to the White House for President Obama’s signature.