WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew a little faster at the end of 2010 than the government had previously estimated, boosted by more inventory building and business investment in plants and equipment. But rising oil prices will likely limit growth ...

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NEW YORK — Retailers reported surprisingly solid January revenue gains Thursday that swept away fears that snowstorms in much of the country had chilled sales. The reports, which are being compared with a respectable January 2010, offer encouraging signs that ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans spent at the fastest pace in three years in 2010, boosted by a strong finish in December. Consumer spending rose 0.7 percent in December, the sixth straight monthly increase, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Households saw their ...

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NEW YORK — The rich treated themselves like royalty this holiday season. That spun the holidays into gold for Tiffany & Co. and other high-end retailers. Wealthier shoppers traded up to more expensive gold and diamond jewelry from silver charms. ...

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WASHINGTON — Retail sales rose for a fifth straight month in November, as the biggest jump in department store sales in two years gave the holiday shopping season a strong start. Retail sales increased 0.8 percent last month, the Commerce ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans earned more and spent more last month, and the number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in more than two years. At the same time, demand for long-lasting manufactured goods ...

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WASHINGTON — The job market and the economy will improve only slightly next year, according to an Associated Press survey of leading economists whose outlook for 2011 has dimmed over the past three months. The latest quarterly AP Economy Survey ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumer spending rose by a moderate amount in August while incomes increased by the largest amount in eight months, a gain that was propelled by the resumption of extended unemployment benefits. Spending increased 0.4 percent in August, matching ...

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It appears consumers are still a little gun shy. I received two press releases this morning about spending habits and both had the same message: Just because the jobless rate has slowed and the Dow Jones has been climbing from ...

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