Stocks extend prior day’s losses amid surprising drop in home sales, sinking oil prices

NEW YORK — Investors pulled away from stocks after an unexpected drop in home sales and a slide in oil prices fanned worries about the pace of the economy’s recovery.

Stocks reverse early gains, move slightly lower after surprising drop in home sales

NEW YORK — A surprising drop in home sales sapped early gains in the stock market Thursday.

US home resales down 2.7 percent in August, ending four-month winning streak

WASHINGTON — Home resales dipped unexpectedly last month after a four-month streak of gains, providing evidence that the housing market recovery remains fragile.

Stocks moderately higher after data on labor market, ahead of home sales report

NEW YORK — More good news about the jobs market is pulling investors back into the market.

US stock futures slightly higher after data on labor market, ahead of G-20 meeting

NEW YORK — Stock futures are indicating a slightly higher opening on Wall Street Thursday after investors got more good news about the jobs market.

US stock futures decline as investors await data on jobs, housing

NEW YORK — Stock futures are slightly lower Thursday as investors wait for more clues on how the economy is faring ahead of data on jobs and housing.

US stock futures little changed as investors await data on jobs, housing

NEW YORK — Stock futures are little changed as investors wait for more clues on how the economy is faring.

Recession’s impact: Census data show longer commutes, delayed marriage, fewer immigrants

WASHINGTON — A broad survey of Americans has provided striking measures of the recession’s effect on life at home and at work: People are now stuck in traffic longer, less apt to move away and more inclined to put off marriage and buying a house.

Census numbers show Asians suffered sharpest drop in homeownership last year

LOS ANGELES — Asians, many of them living in foreclosure-ravaged California, suffered the sharpest drop in homeownership last year, eclipsing declines felt by whites, blacks and Hispanics, according to new Census data.

Investors turn attention to Fed meeting for guidance on the economy

NEW YORK — If the stock market’s seemingly unstoppable march higher is to be believed, the economy is firmly on the road to recovery. Several key events on the economic calendar this week may help determine whether that conviction holds up.

As deadline nears, first-time homebuyers and Congress face end to tax credit

As days tick off the calendar, the life span of the much-ballyhooed tax credit for first-time homebuyers is drawing to an end — unless Congress decides to extend it.

White House considering extending tax credit for first-time homebuyers

WASHINGTON — The White House is considering extending an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

Homebuilder sentiment index jumps 1 point in September as builders see sales perk up

LOS ANGELES — The National Association of Home Builders said Wednesday its housing market index rose in September for the third month in a row, reflecting growing optimism in the industry about rising home sales.

After housing meltdown, buyers hold the power _ and old-fashioned rules return

The American dream of homeownership is still attainable. Buyers just have to deal with a new set of realities.

Summary Box: Manufacturing, housing data boost recovery hopes, consumers are the key

MANUFACTURING GROWTH: The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index showed growth in the sector in August for the first time in 19 months, posting the highest number since June 2007. New customer orders jumped to a level not seen since December 2004.

Stocks tumble as traders juggle worries about health of banks, size of market’s six-month run

NEW YORK — A stock market ripe for a big pullback succumbed Tuesday, plunging when rumors of a bank failure revived investors’ anxiety about the banking industry and the economy as a whole.

Investors start September on cautious footing, stocks fall after manufacturing, housing data

NEW YORK — The stock market’s rally finally gave way on Tuesday, sending shares sharply lower as investors concluded that a six-month surge was overdone.

Stocks begin September higher after data shows manufacturing industry grew in August

NEW YORK — News that the manufacturing industry has grown for the first time in 18 months is giving the stock market a modest advance.

Stocks begin September slightly higher as investors await data on manufacturing, housing

NEW YORK — Stocks edged higher Tuesday ahead of reports on manufacturing and housing.

Pending US home sales rise for sixth straight month in July to highest level since June 2007

WASHINGTON — A gauge of future U.S. home sales rose more than expected in July to the highest level in over two years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of a tax credit that expires this fall.

Stocks begin September little changed as investors await data on manufacturing, housing

NEW YORK — As September begins, investors are cautious about extending the market’s rally into a seventh month.

Stocks begin September with a lower open, market awaits data on manufacturing, housing

NEW YORK — Stocks are falling in early trading as investors await data on manufacturing and housing.

Economy’s small drop in 2Q hints recession ending, but strength of recovery remains a concern

WASHINGTON — Further evidence the recession is ending came in a report Thursday confirming that the economy shrank at an annual rate of just 1 percent in the spring.

GDP shrinks 1 percent in 2nd quarter, better than expected and unchanged from initial estimate

WASHINGTON — The economy shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent in the spring, a better-than-expected showing and more evidence that the recession is drawing to a close.

Analysts expect fewer 1st-time jobless claims, estimate economy shrank at 1.5 pct in 2Q

WASHINGTON — Government data this week showed that consumers and businesses went on a big-ticket spending spree in July, sending home, car and equipment sales soaring by the largest amount in years. On Thursday, the Labor Department’s report on weekly jobless claims will indicate whether that improved confidence about the economy is boosting the job market.

Consumers and business spend big in July, sending home, equipment and car sales soaring

WASHINGTON — Consumers and businesses went on a big-ticket spending spree in July, sending home, car and equipment sales soaring by the largest amount in years.

Summary Box: New home sales surge 9.6 percent in July in sign of economic recovery

WHAT HAPPENED?: Sales of new U.S. homes rose 9.6 percent last month, as first-time homebuyers seized on a tax credit that covers 10 percent of the home price, up to $8,000.

Stocks finish choppy session slightly higher; Dow rises for 7th straight day to new 2009 highs

NEW YORK — The stock market is running out of reasons to go higher.

Stocks edge lower, shrugging off report showing fourth straight monthly increase in home sales

NEW YORK — Stocks drifted Wednesday as positive reports on home sales and factory orders failed to galvanize buyers.

Stock market recovers after report showing fourth straight monthly increase in home sales

NEW YORK — Reports showing jumps in home sales and factory orders are keeping stocks afloat.