WASHINGTON — Companies were confident enough in the economy in August to keep stocking their shelves, even as other data stoked recession fears. Businesses added to their stockpiles for a 20th consecutive month and their sales rose for a third ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers stepped up their spending on retail goods in September, a hopeful sign for the sluggish economy. They spent more on autos, clothing and furniture last month to boost retail sales 1.1 percent, the Commerce Department said ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. builders increased spending on homes, office buildings and other projects in August after a big decline in July. The gain still left the construction industry far below levels considered healthy. The Commerce Department says construction spending rose ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumers spent slightly more last month but earned less for the first time in nearly two years. The new data on spending and incomes suggest Americans tapped their savings to cope with steep gas prices and a weaker ...

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WASHINGTON — The economy is showing signs of modest improvement — not enough to reduce high unemployment but enough to ease fears that another recession might be near. Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, though some of that ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, an encouraging sign that layoffs are easing. Weekly applications dropped 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 391,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since April ...

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WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes fell to a six-month low in August. The fourth straight monthly decline during the peak buying season suggests the housing market is years away from a recovery. The Commerce Department said Monday that new-home ...

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WASHINGTON — Builders broke ground on fewer homes in August, evidence that the housing market remains depressed. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that builders began work on a seasonally adjusted 571,000 homes last month, a 5 percent decline from July ...

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WASHINGTON — Businesses added to their stockpiles in July for a 19th straight month and their sales increased by the most since March. The Commerce Department says business inventories rose 0.4 percent in July following a similar gain in June. ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumers spent less on autos, clothing and furniture to leave retail sales unchanged in August. The lack of growth suggests households became more cautious during wild stock market fluctuations and increased fears about the economy. The Commerce Department ...

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