Americans are losing faith that the economy will keep improving, according to a monthly survey. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to a six-month low of 60.8 from a revised 66 in April, a sign of the toll that high gas prices, a choppy job outlook and a moribund housing market are taking on [...]
What will Philadelphia be like in 15 years? For one thing, you can count on PowerPoint presentation becoming obsolete, if the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is correct. The league has created four possible futures of the region, ranging from “Tight Belts” (the recession never improves) to “America in the Driver’s Seat” (Marcellus Shale gas [...]
Wall Street faces a data-heavy schedule this week that is expected to bring more volatility to a market full of investors weary from six consecutive weeks of losses. The government will release its closely watched May retail sales report on Tuesday and consumer inflation data on Wednesday. That’s only two of the dozen or so [...]
We’re still trying to claw our way out of one recession. Could we be headed for another one? CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla sorts it all out.
Thirty-five percent of middle class Americans said they or someone in their household has experienced a physical symptom of stress related to the economy, according to a recent report by First Command Financial Services, a financial service provider. Most common were anxiety, changes in weight, sleeplessness, low energy and irritability. “These are health conditions that [...]
Count on digging deeper to buy a used car for junior. Prices for used cars hit a record high in April and are poised to go even higher as production cutbacks during the recession and the more recent Japanese earthquake has made used vehicles a hot commodity as dealers dive into the depleted pool for [...]
Retailers reported surging April sales helped by a late Easter, extending strong spending momentum that began late last year. However, some stores that cater to low-income shoppers are starting to warn that their customers are facing pressure from high gas prices. As merchants reported their April results Thursday, a diverse group including Costco, Limited Brands, which [...]
Battle lines are being drawn in state capitals over whether workers should be judged by their creditworthiness. In 25 states, 49 proposed bills are being debated. The majority of the bills are aimed at restricting when credit histories can be used in the hiring process, says Heather Morton, analyst at the National Conference of State [...]
Neither tsunami nor Libyan turmoil nor higher oil prices have shaken businesses from hiring more workers. After more than two years of a bleak prospects for job seekers, the economy’s slow, steady growth is finally creating jobs at a healthy pace. “Our economy is showing signs of real strength,” President Obama told workers at a [...]
Retail appears to have gotten back to business as usual this past holiday season. Shoppers didn’t disappoint merchants, buying presents at both low- and high-end prices, from jewelry and electronics to clothes and shoes. Most analysts are predicting sales will show year-over-year increases of 3% to 4% on Thursday, when major merchants post December figures [...]
Spending money wisely, from home repair to shopping
