The quarterly reporting period has gotten off to a bang-up start, with 81% of companies outshining analysts' forecasts. But with expectations now raised, the latest crop of strong results has had little impact on the broad market.
Retail sales fell in September after a popular program aimed at boosting auto sales ended, but the drop was smaller than economists had expected, government data showed Wednesday.
Investors are hoping the surprisingly strong summer market rally will last at least one more week -- before any second-guessing in the fall kicks in.
In less than 24 hours all full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will flip a switch to stop broadcasting their analog TV signals and will only broadcast TV signals in digital. And for millions who are unprepared, it could mean lights out on their favorite TV shows.
Consumer spending rose in February, rebounding for the second month in row after falling for six straight months, according to government figures released Friday.
When the $787 billion stimulus bill was passed by Congress in February, $317.2 billion in spending provisions were appropriated for various federal agencies. Take a look at an overview of the numbers, where available:
Consumers continued to retrench in December, capping off the worst year for consumer spending since 1961, according to a government report released Monday.
In a troubling sign that consumers are retrenching this holiday season, consumer spending and orders for durable goods fell further in November, according to government reports released Wednesday.
The dollar was mixed against major currencies on Friday as two better-than-expected economic reports gave the market hope, but rising inflation and higher oil prices weighed.
Stocks closed lower Monday, the third consecutive day of declines, as falling oil prices could not completely overcome concerns about the health of the nation's economy.
The quarterly reporting period has gotten off to a bang-up start, with 81% of companies outshining analysts' forecasts. But with expectations now raised, the latest crop of strong results has had little impact on the broad market.
Retail sales fell in September after a popular program aimed at boosting auto sales ended, but the drop was smaller than economists had expected, government data showed Wednesday.
Investors are hoping the surprisingly strong summer market rally will last at least one more week -- before any second-guessing in the fall kicks in.
In less than 24 hours all full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will flip a switch to stop broadcasting their analog TV signals and will only broadcast TV signals in digital. And for millions who are unprepared, it could mean lights out on their favorite TV shows.
Consumer spending rose in February, rebounding for the second month in row after falling for six straight months, according to government figures released Friday.
When the $787 billion stimulus bill was passed by Congress in February, $317.2 billion in spending provisions were appropriated for various federal agencies. Take a look at an overview of the numbers, where available:
Consumers continued to retrench in December, capping off the worst year for consumer spending since 1961, according to a government report released Monday.
In a troubling sign that consumers are retrenching this holiday season, consumer spending and orders for durable goods fell further in November, according to government reports released Wednesday.
The dollar was mixed against major currencies on Friday as two better-than-expected economic reports gave the market hope, but rising inflation and higher oil prices weighed.
Stocks closed lower Monday, the third consecutive day of declines, as falling oil prices could not completely overcome concerns about the health of the nation's economy.
Personal income surged in May as the government's stimulus payment plan to jump-start the economy took effect, according to a report released Friday.
Retail sales jumped by the largest amount in six months in May as 57 million economic stimulus payments helped offset the headwinds buffeting consumers
Like any mask-wearing serial killer in a cheesy horror movie, you just can't kill the American consumer.
Construction spending fell in February, according to a government report released Tuesday, but the decline was less than expected.
Personal income rose and a key measure of inflation held steady in February, but consumer spending remained weak, according to a government report released Friday.
Treasurys were higher Friday after a government report showed spending by individuals remained weak last month and a key measure of inflation held steady.
Inventories and sales of U.S. wholesalers both rose during January, the Commerce Department said Monday.
Sales of new homes plunged last month to their lowest level in more than 12 years, a grim testament to the problems plaguing the housing sector.
Demand for big-ticket items fell for the third straight month in October and came in weaker than had been forecast, according to a government report released Wednesday.
Retail sales grew at a sluggish pace in October as many cash-strapped Americans continue to struggle with higher gas prices, less equity in the home and tighter credit availability.
Construction spending posted a bigger-than-expected 0.2 percent gain in August as strength in non-residential construction offset a continued plunge in home building.
Demand for big-ticket manufactured goods plunged in August by the largest amount in seven months, with widespread weakness signaling a slowdown in the nation's industrial sector.
Construction activity plunged in July by the biggest amount in six months as spending on homes fell for a record 17th straight month.
Consumers returned to the malls in July after taking a breather in June, although worries about the future could make the rebound short-lived.
The U.S. gross domestic product came in at a 4.0 percent annual rate of growth for the second quarter, showing the highest growth rate in more than a year, according to the Commerce Department.
Inventories at U.S. businesses rose 0.4 percent as expected in June, Commerce Department data released on Monday showed.
New orders for long-lasting U.S-made manufactured goods rose 1.4 percent in June on a big rise in orders for non-defense aircraft, a Commerce Department report Thursday showed.
Construction spending rose 0.9 percent in May, well above expectations on an all-time high in the pace of both public spending and private non-residential spending, a Commerce Department report on Friday showed.
The economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter than previously thought, the government said Thursday, but the reading also included slightly higher inflation pressures.
Housing starts slipped 2.1 percent in May to a slightly lower rate than analysts had expected while building permit activity increased more than anticipated, a government report showed Tuesday.
Bond prices jumped Monday after the release of a better than expected personal income report, which also showed an improved inflation reading.
Stocks fell at the open Friday after the government said the economy grew at the weakest pace in four years
Stocks losses mounted in light trading Friday after a report showing a decline in durable goods orders overshadowed a tame inflation reading.
Stocks slid Friday amid concerns about the health of the economy, although trading was light ahead of the holiday weekend.
Stocks fell in light trading Friday amid concerns about the health of the economy.
Santa showed few signs of making a visit to Wall Street on Friday as stocks fell in light trading on concerns about the health of the economy.
Retail sales surged in the important holiday shopping month of November as shoppers flocked to malls in search of juicy deals on toys, electronics and other popular gift items.
Bond prices climbed Thursday after a robust report on durable goods revealed it fell short of expectations when the transportation component was stripped out.
Treasury prices slid Wednesday after strong manufacturing data suggested that the Fed would continue raising interest rates.
Stocks looked set to open higher Friday after a report showed the economy growing faster than expected.
Bonds erased gains Wednesday after a government report showing a jump in new home sales offset a disappointing durable goods release that had pushed yields lower in early trading.
Automakers' "employee discount" incentives may have revved up overall retail sales in July, but some economists say widespread weakness in other categories could indicate that higher gas prices are beginning to weigh on consumer spending.
The pace of economic growth slowed a bit more than expected in the second quarter, but inflationary pressures remained well in check.
The dollar continued to rally Wednesday after a morning report showed the country's trade gap narrowing more than expected.
Investors will be hoping that encouraging news on the economy Friday could give stocks some respite after the previous session's brutal selloff on the back of growing unease about record-high oil prices.
Government bond prices rallied Thursday after a dismal stock market performance and a report that the economy grew at the slowest pace in two years, while the dollar ended mixed.
Bond prices increased Wednesday after the government said orders for durable goods fell sharply in March. The dollar was little changed.
When the Commerce Department releases its retail sales report on Dec. 13, we'll get our first glimpse at holiday spending patterns. For the season, analysts are calling for shoppers to shell out 5 ...
Orders for long-lasting goods rose in September, the government reported Wednesday, coming in lower than estimates.
Sales of new homes fell from a record pace in June, the government reported Tuesday, but still came in above economists' estimates as buyers continue to shrug off higher mortgage rates.
April orders for long-lasting goods made in the United States posted the largest drop in 20 months, the government reported Wednesday, coming in well below economists' forecasts.
After muddling through several weeks of uncertainty, U.S. stock markets should enjoy a little more clarity in the coming week, but will get few signs of the future course of inflation and interest rates.
U.S. Treasury prices fell Wednesday following three consecutive days of gains and in anticipation of new supply hitting the market as an auction of five-year note kicks off.
The economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the fourth quarter than initially estimated, the government said Friday, as robust business investment offset sluggish consumer spending and a wider trade gap.
The pace of new home sales in the United States slowed for the second straight month in December, the government said Wednesday, missing Wall Street expectations for a gain.
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RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS American Assembly Columbia University 412 Altschul Hall New York, New York 10027 212-280-3456
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