Consumer spending up in June but unlikely to lead recovery as incomes fall, unemployment rises

WASHINGTON — As gasoline prices rose, Americans spent more in June than the previous month — despite falling incomes. For the rest of the year, economists expect falling wages and rising unemployment to act as a drag on spending.

Stocks zigzag after better data on consumer spending and housing; traders pause after rally

NEW YORK — Stocks barely budged Tuesday as investors took a break from a huge three-week rally.

Investors try to extend rally, edge higher after better consumer spending, housing data

NEW YORK — Stocks edged higher Tuesday as investors tried to extend a huge three-week rally.

Stocks waver, easing off a 3-week rally, despite better consumer spending and housing data

NEW YORK — Stocks wavered Tuesday, taking a break from a huge rally, as more signs of healing in the housing market and an uptick in consumer spending failed to spur buying.

Stocks lower as investors pause from recent runup, little moved by rise in consumer spending

NEW YORK — Investors are pausing after the market’s huge rally, pushing stocks slightly lower as they wait for more confirmation that the economic recovery is under way.

Consumer spending up in June for 2nd straight month, personal incomes drop more than expected

WASHINGTON — Consumers opened their wallets and pocketbooks a bit more in June, increasing their spending for the second straight month while saving less, even as incomes fell sharply.

Stocks fall modestly despite report GDP fell less than expected in 2nd quarter

NEW YORK — Stocks are falling in the opening moments of trading as investors are brushing off a report showing the nation’s economic decline slowed more than expected in the second quarter.

Earnings results for purveyors of everyday basics to shed light on broader economic trends

NEW YORK — Investors are looking for glimmers of economic hope in the everyday basics, from cereal to pens to cleaning supplies.

Economists: Latest wage hike arrives at tough time for businesses, could prolong recession

ATLANTA — A federal minimum wage increase that takes effect Friday could prolong the recession, some economists say, by forcing small businesses to lay off the same workers that the pay hike passed in better times was meant to help.

Bernanke defends Fed’s ability to take on supercop role, unwind stimulus to prevent inflation

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke ran into skepticism Tuesday from lawmakers wary of expanding the Fed’s duties to police big financial companies. They argued that the Fed failed to spot problems that led to the financial crisis in the first place.

Meltdown 101: Looking for clues about the future as companies release earnings outlooks

NEW YORK — It’s report-card season on Wall Street, when corporations release a flood of second-quarter earnings reports that provide a window into the companies’ recent performance.

China’s economic growth accelerates in Q2 as stimulus fuels factory output, consumer spending

BEIJING — China’s economic growth accelerated to 7.9 percent from a year earlier in the second quarter amid a stimulus-fueled surge in consumer spending, factory output and investment, the government reported Thursday.

Higher energy prices push wholesale inflation, retail sales up more than expected in June

WASHINGTON — Higher energy prices rippled through the economy in June, helping drive bigger-than-expected gains in retail sales and inflation at the producer level.

Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak, as benefit rolls reach record near 7 million

WASHINGTON — Even though new claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, dipping below 600,000 for the first time since early January, the number of Americans seeking this safety net points to an economy that is still very weak.

What will signal consumers are back? Look for facials and massages, and big breakfasts out

WASHINGTON — Dayne Morris eats out less, cooks at home more. He hunts for online bargains and shops at discount stores.

Millions of Americans get stimulus payments in May, but money goes into savings, not spending

WASHINGTON — Households raised their savings rate to the highest level in more than 15 years in May as many used a big boost in money from the government’s stimulus program to bolster nest eggs rather than to spend more. Still, with consumer spending expected to stay subdued, a sustained economic recovery seems doubtful anytime soon.

Dollar falls against major currencies as personal spending rises, but so does savings

NEW YORK — The dollar was lower Friday after data showed that personal spending, incomes and savings all rose in May, suggesting consumers are being extremely careful with their money.

Stocks open lower after surprise increase in last week’s jobless claims

NEW YORK — An unexpected rise in jobless claims is causing investors to sell again.

High unemployment leaves consumers with less money to spend, could slow recovery

WASHINGTON — The number of people receiving unemployment benefits has set another record, a development likely to weigh on consumer spending and slow the economy’s recovery.

Growth in retail sales, good demand at bond auction lift shares; S&P highest since November

NEW YORK — The stock market’s rally is shifting to a lower gear.

Growth in retail sales and better-than-expected jobless claims data boost share prices

NEW YORK — Investors are welcoming a better-than-expected report on jobless claims and growth in retail sales.

Stock index futures declining despite slowdown in new jobless claims, growth in retail sales

NEW YORK — Stock index futures fell modestly Thursday morning, pointing to a lower opening on Wall Street amid worries about rising interest rates.

Stock index futures trading in narrow range after jobless claims, retail sales reports

NEW YORK — Stock futures are trading in a narrow range after a better-than-expected report on jobless claims and anticipated growth in retail sales.

Highlights from the Fed’s latest survey of economic conditions across the country

WASHINGTON — 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.

Stock futures modestly lower as judge halts Chrysler sale, banks await word on loan repayments

NEW YORK — Stocks futures are falling, pointing to a lower open Friday after a worse-than-expected report on durable goods orders.

Stocks mostly rise after surprise drop in continued jobless claims; retail sales data mixed

NEW YORK — Cautious traders are placing small bets on signs of improvement in the economy.

Stocks rise moderately after unexpected drop in weekly jobless claims; retail sales mixed

NEW YORK — Stocks are moderately higher in early trading as investors weigh an unexpected drop in weekly unemployment claims against mixed sales reports from retailers.

Wall Street futures move slightly higher on encouraging jobs data

NEW YORK — U.S. stock futures are moving higher as the market gets a pleasant surprise on the labor market: unemployed workers are starting to return to work.

Wall Street futures pare early gains as retailers report weak sales, investors await jobs data

NEW YORK — U.S. stock futures pared early gains Thursday as a number of retailers reported big drops in sales — a clear sign that the American consumer is still feeling the pain of a deep recession.

Contraction slows in service sector, factory orders rise slightly, but slow recovery expected

NEW YORK — The U.S. service sector shrank last month at the slowest pace since late last year and orders to U.S. factory orders rose in April, but the improvements were incremental and economists say a real recovery will be long and slow.