US Economy - Page 9

Reuters - A surprise drop in the number of new claims filed for jobless aid pointed to a healthy U.S. labor market, but a forward-looking measure of the economy showed momentum has slowed, data released on Thursday showed.

AP - The number of laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week for the third consecutive time, signaling that the labor market may be stabilizing after a worrisome jump in layoffs earlier in the year. More Info...  

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly fell 4,000 last week to its lowest in six weeks, government data showed on Thursday in a report underscoring a healthy labor market.

FT.com - The Nikkei climbed to a three-week high on Thursday, buoyed by renewed optimism about the US economy. More Info...  

Economy News FT.com - Is that the sound of a furiously backpedalling Federal Reserve? Less than two months ago the Fed was decidedly upbeat. While not quite sounding the all-clear on the US economy, it talked of signs of stabilisation in the housing market and improved readings on inflation. On Wednesday, it had a very different message on those twin threats. Its statement described the adjustment in the housing sector (a risk to economic growth) as "ongoing". And it said recent readings on inflation have been "somewhat elevated". More Info...  

FT.com - Is that the sound of a furiously backpedalling Federal Reserve? Less than two months ago the Fed was decidedly upbeat. While not quite sounding the all-clear on the US economy, it talked of signs of stabilisation in the housing market and improved readings on inflation. On Wednesday, it had a very different message on those twin threats. Its statement described the adjustment in the housing sector (a risk to economic growth) as "ongoing". And it said recent readings on inflation have been "somewhat elevated". More Info...  

AFP - The Federal Reserve held a key interest rate steady Wednesday and largely brushed off fears about a downward spiral in the US economy while backing away from a threatened rate hike.

Economy News

AP - New home construction rebounded in February following a steep January slide. But analysts pointed to a further decline in building permits as a worrisome signal of future problems for the troubled housing industry.

AP - New home construction rebounded in February following a steep January slide. But analysts pointed to a further decline in building permits as a worrisome signal of future problems for the troubled housing industry.

FT.com - The Federal Reserve is likely to underscore the difference between its relatively bullish outlook for the US economy and the relatively bearish view of the markets when it releases the statement at the end of its March meeting on Tuesday. More Info...  

AP - With nearly half this year's tax returns filed, the average refund is up more than $100 from last year at $2,548, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Mark Everson said Tuesday. More Info...  

Reuters - The pace of U.S. home construction rose a sharp 9 percent in February but permits for future building slid, according to data on Tuesday that shed little light on whether the housing market was stabilizing.

Economy News AP - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's radical policies pose "substantial risk" for private firms and are expected to undermine the South American country's economic growth in 2007, the world's leading banking organization said Sunday. More Info...  

AP - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's radical policies pose "substantial risk" for private firms and are expected to undermine the South American country's economic growth in 2007, the world's leading banking organization said Sunday. More Info...  

Economy News

AFP - Mixed signals on the US economy have put the Federal Reserve in a quandary as it tries to steer monetary policy amid fresh inflation concerns but also a slumping housing market, analysts say.

AFP - Mixed signals on the US economy have put the Federal Reserve in a quandary as it tries to steer monetary policy amid fresh inflation concerns but also a slumping housing market, analysts say.

Economy News AP - Consumers paid more for energy, food and a host of other items in February as a sluggish economy failed to extinguish inflation pressures. But in a hopeful sign for growth, factory output posted a better-than-expected increase. More Info...  

AP - Consumers paid more for energy, food and a host of other items in February as a sluggish economy failed to extinguish inflation pressures. But in a hopeful sign for growth, factory output posted a better-than-expected increase. More Info...  

Reuters - U.S. prices crept persistently higher in February and industrial output rose at an unexpectedly strong pace, according to data on Friday that implied little or no chance of interest-rate cuts soon.

AFP - The US dollar fell sharply Friday after an inflation snapshot triggered renewed concerns about the US economy, traders said.