Investors varying view on the economic recovery is pushing market into more volatile period

Stocks market only as strong as latest data

Stocks fall in opening trading as investors digest consumer spending, weekly jobless data

Stocks open lower on employment, retail sales

New figures show Americans may be settling into spending less, still wary about jobs, credit

Americans may be settling into spending less

China figures on output, trade and retail sales show economic growth on track

China industrial output,retail sales up in October

Colo. gov proposes K-12 schools cut and sales tax on soda, online sales to help balance budget

Colo. gov proposes sales tax on soda, online sales

Stocks jump as better jobs data, gain in retail sales boost optimism about economic recovery

Stocks jump as jobs, spending data boost mood

October sales offer relief to merchants as shoppers ease up; tough economy still a drag

October sales offer relief to merchants

NEW YORK — October’s retail sales results, the best performance since April 2008, show that Americans are spending a little more. But will they be willing to pay full price this holiday season?

Retail sales in eurozone fall by 0.7 percent during September

Eurozone retail sales drop in Sept

BRUSSELS — Retail sales in the 16 countries that use the euro dropped by 0.7 percent in September, European Union statistics showed Thursday, evidence the economic recovery will be slow and bumpy.

October retail sales show more signs of life, lifting hopes for the holiday season and economy

October sales promise a bit of relief to stores

Penske Automotive posts 16 percent increase in 3rd-qtr profit on Clunkers boost, lower costs

Penske Automotive 3Q profit rises 16 percent

After strong Q3, analysts see more growth for Amazon but say retail sector may not be back yet

SAN FRANCISCO — Low prices, solid customer service and an increasing willingness by consumers to spend on discretionary items contributed to Amazon.com Inc.’s solid third quarter, and the growth should continue despite weakness elsewhere in retail.

New jobless claims drop unexpectedly to 514,000; inflation remains muted

WASHINGTON — New jobless claims dropped to the lowest level since January and the prices of many household goods stayed low last month, positive signs of stability for the fledgling economic recovery.

New jobless claims drop unexpectedly to 514,000, continuing claims fall below 6 million

514K new jobless claims, 5th drop in 6 weeks

Despite high unemployment, consumers show signs of life as prices expected to stay low

WASHINGTON — Consumers may be slowly regaining their appetite to shop, as the prices they encounter in stores remain low.

Worries about sustained consumer spending persist despite surprising retail sales in September

WASHINGTON — Retail sales outside of autos showed surprising strength in September, but economists worry the rebound in all-important consumer spending will be short-lived as American families contend with rising unemployment and tight credit.

September retail sales drop 1.5 percent after end of Clunkers; some sales growth outside autos

WASHINGTON — Retail sales declined in September by the largest amount this year as car sales plummeted following the end of the government’s popular Cash for Clunkers program. But outside of autos, sales were better than expected.

Stock futures up sharply after retail sales data, solid profit reports from Intel, JPMorgan

NEW YORK — U.S. stock futures are holding on to their early gains despite a big drop in retail sales.

September retail sales drop 1.5 percent, biggest decline in 9 months, as auto sales plunge

WASHINGTON — Retail sales declined in September by the largest amount this year as car sales plummeted following the end of the government’s popular Cash for Clunkers program.

Investors look to 3Q reports, forecasts to keep market momentum, find clues about recovery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With earnings reports arriving in earnest this week, investors are likely to get a boost in optimism or an unpleasant surprise.

Numbers tell story of last fall’s financial meltdown, Great Recession

NEW YORK — A year ago this weekend, the Dow Jones industrial average had just finished a slow-motion crash. Over eight days, it fell 2,400 points, or 22 percent, and stood at 8,451.

Retail sales comparisons for September

Here are comparisons of how major stores in four key areas of retailing fared in September compared with a year earlier.

Stocks resume climb after upbeat retail sales and surprising profit from Alcoa

NEW YORK — The stock market resumed its rally after getting encouraging readings on two of the best gauges of the economy’s health: consumer spending and corporate profits.

Stocks climb after upbeat retail sales, better jobs data and surprising profit from Alcoa

NEW YORK — Stocks resumed their climb as investors got upbeat readings on two of the best gauges of the economy’s health: consumer spending and corporate profits.

Dollar stays weak after ECB holds rates steady; in US, retailers, jobs data boosts markets

NEW YORK — The dollar remained lower versus the euro after the European Central Bank and Bank of England left interest rates unchanged Thursday.

September retail sales improve but some barely match 2005, SpendingPulse reports

NEW YORK — U.S. retail sales figures from a key data service show signs of a rebound in September from last year’s deep plunge.

Retail group downcast about holidays, and Sept.. may have brought sector its 13th monthly drop

NEW YORK — After parents cut back on clothes and accessories for children this past fall, the retail industry suspects they won’t be any more generous by the holidays.

Rebound in taxes will take years, forcing states to make deeper cuts to jobs and services

The recession is probably over, which means states’ financial troubles have only begun.

Stocks edged higher on growth in industrial production; consumer inflation remains tame

NEW YORK — Stocks picked up steam Wednesday as strength in industrial production gave investors new reason to wager that the economy is recovering.

Stocks open higher on growth in industrial production, upbeat comments from Bernanke

NEW YORK — Stocks are higher in early trading as investors build further momentum amid fresh signs the global economy is recovering.

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.