UCLA forecasts double-digit Calif. jobless rate through 2010 but high tech may recover

LOS ANGELES — A UCLA forecast says California will continue to struggle with recession next year even though its high-tech industries will rebound.

Consumer prices rise slightly in August as weak economy keeps inflation in check

WASHINGTON — Consumer prices rose slightly in August due to higher gas prices, another sign the weak economy is keeping inflation in check.

OECD forecasts unemployment in industrialized world to reach new post-WWII high in 2010

PARIS — Unemployment in the industrialized world will hit its highest level since World War II next year, surpassing the current peak, as the global economy looks set for only a timid recovery in 2010, an international organization said in a report Wednesday.

British unemployment rate at near 13-year high of 7.9 pct despite signs of easing recession

LONDON — Unemployment in Britain hit a near 13-year high in July despite signs that the deepest recession since World War II is coming to an end, official figures showed Wednesday.

OECD forecasts unemployment to reach new postwar high of some 10 percent in 2010

PARIS — Unemployment in leading industrialized nations will hit a new postwar record next year, surpassing the current high, as the global economy looks set for only a timid recovery in 2010, the OECD said in a report Wednesday.

Inflation expected to have remained in check as weak economy limits prices increases

WASHINGTON — A report due out Wednesday is expected to show that inflation remained in check last month, as the weak economy prevents retailers and manufacturers from raising prices.

Retail sales jump, but weak results at 2 big stores show spending isn’t back in force

WASHINGTON — Retail sales jumped in August by the largest amount in more than three years, but economists warn that as long as credit stays tight and jobs remain scarce, Americans probably aren’t ready to spend in force again.

Bernanke says recession ‘very likely over,’ confident Congress will pass new financial rules

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday the worst recession since the 1930s is probably over, although he cautioned that pain — especially for the nearly 15 million unemployed Americans — will persist.

Retail sales rise more than expected in August; sales excluding autos up 1.1 percent

WASHINGTON — Retail sales jumped in August by the largest amount in more than three years, spurred by widespread gains beyond the expected increases of auto sales from the government’s Cash for Clunkers program.

Rates on Treasury bills fall at weekly auction; 6-month bills hit third straight record low

WASHINGTON — Interest rates on six-month Treasury bills hit a record low for the third consecutive week.

EU sees recession ending in third quarter, warns that upswing will be weak

BRUSSELS — The European Union said Monday that the recession in the euro-zone and EU will likely have ended in the third quarter with the resumption of modest economic growth.

Wall Street looking to the consumer to lift retail sales, drive economic growth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wall Street wants consumers to do their part to heal the economy. Traders know it’s going to take some time.

Slow going for Obama in filling important policy posts at Treasury, Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON — The White House has filled important policy jobs at the two departments essential to President Barack Obama’s domestic priorities at a much slower rate than elsewhere in his administration after eight months in charge of the government.

World stocks advance amid hopes for China economy, US job market; dollar continues to slide

HONG KONG — World stock markets pushed higher Friday as stronger-than-expected data about China’s economy and the U.S. job market added to optimism about the global recovery.

Japan’s 2Q growth weaker than first estimated but shows recovery after yearlong contraction

TOKYO — Japan’s growth in the second quarter was weaker than initially thought, but government figures still show that the world’s second largest economy has managed to climb out of a recession.

Stocks rise for 5th day after slight improvement in jobless claims; Dow climbs 80 points

NEW YORK — Investors poured money into stocks for a fifth day after a drop in weekly unemployment claims and an upbeat forecast from Procter & Gamble raised hopes for the economy. Falling interest rates on Treasury securities also fed demand for stocks.

Dollar continues fall to lows vs euro, major currencies as investors move to riskier assets

NEW YORK — The dollar continued its slide to fresh annual lows against the euro Thursday as investors felt confident to leave the safety of the American currency.

Stocks rise for 5th day after slight improvement in jobless claims; P&G forecast boosts mood

NEW YORK — Stocks are higher for the fifth day following a drop in weekly unemployment claims and an upbeat forecast from Procter & Gamble.

Trade deficit grows, but growth in imports and exports shows demand rising as recession fades

WASHINGTON — The ending of the recession is reviving global trade, increasing U.S. imports by a record amount in July and boosting foreign demand for American goods for a third straight month.

Stocks zigzag after better-than-expected jobs report; Monsanto plans to expand work force cuts

NEW YORK — Stocks zigzagged in a tight range early Thursday as investors weighed a better-than-expected jobs report against a downbeat forecast from Monsanto Co.

Stocks mixed at opening after better-than-expected jobs report

Stock prices are mixed after a better than expected jobs report.

Jobs report gives stocks futures a lift, investors look for signs of recovery

A better than expected jobs report boosted stock futures Thursday, as Wall Street appeared to be heading for a modestly higher open.

Stocks futures point to higher open after jobs report, investors look for signs of recovery

A better than expected jobs report is boosting stock futures, as Wall Street appears to be heading for a modestly higher open.

New jobless claims fall more than expected to 550,000, total unemployment rolls also drop

WASHINGTON — First-time claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, evidence that companies are laying off fewer workers as the economy improves.

Stocks futures slip as investors’ continue search for economic recovery signs

The stock market appeared headed for a modestly lower open Thursday as investors looked for more evidence of an economic recovery.

Stocks futures little changed as investors’ continue search for economic recovery signs

The stock market appeared headed for a mixed open Thursday as investors looked for more evidence of an economic recovery.

World stocks rise as Fed report raises US recovery hopes; oil above $72 after OPEC decision

HONG KONG — World stock markets headed higher Thursday amid optimism about the U.S. economy, while oil prices climbed after OPEC kept production levels unchanged.

Australian jobless rate steady as unemployed abandon job search, shrinking labor force

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s jobless rate remained steady at 5.8 percent for a third month in August despite a continuing shift from full-time to part-time employment due to the near-stagnant economy, figures showed Thursday.

Federal Reserve survey shows worst recession since 1930s may be over

WASHINGTON — The recession is ending and the economy is finally growing again. That’s the message implicit in the Federal Reserve’s latest survey of businesses around the country, which found economic activity stabilizing or improving in most regions.

Rates on Treasury bills fall, 6-month bills hit record low for second straight week

WASHINGTON — Interest rates on six-month Treasury bills hit a record low for the second consecutive week.