WASHINGTON — U.S. factory output increased in April, helped by a gain in auto production. Busier factories have driven stronger hiring this year and helped the economy grow. The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that factory production rose 0.6 percent in ...

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NEW YORK — Americans’ spending — much like the economy — continues to yo-yo. Major retailers such as Costco and Macy’s reported on Thursday that April revenue rose less that 1 percent in the worst performance since 2009 when the ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans increased their spending more slowly in March, suggesting some are worried that their paychecks aren’t growing fast enough. The Commerce Department said Monday that consumer spending increased just 0.3 percent last month after a 0.9 percent gain ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell to a four-year low last week, suggesting employers kept hiring in March at a healthy pace. Weekly applications dropped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 357,000, the Labor Department said ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers boosted their spending in February by the most in seven months. But Americans’ income barely grew, and the saving rate fell to its lowest point in more than two years. The Commerce Department said Friday that ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers earned a little more in January and spent most of the extra money. The modest gains should keep the economy growing slowly. But they disappointed economists, who were expecting bigger increases after two months of strong ...

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NEW YORK — It looks like Americans are starting to doubt that the economy in 2012 will be that much better than it was last year. Consumer confidence fell in January after two straight months of big gains as Americans ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans’ income rose in December by the most in nine months, a hopeful sign for the economy after a year of weak wage gains. But consumers didn’t spend any more than they had in November. Americans ended up ...

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plummeted last week to 352,000, the fewest since April 2008. The decline added to evidence that the job market is strengthening. Applications fell 50,000, the biggest drop in the seasonally adjusted ...

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