WASHINGTON — Driving in America has stalled, leading researchers to ask: Is the national love affair with the automobile over? After rising for decades, total vehicle use in the U.S. — the collective miles people drive — peaked in August ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans’ confidence in the economy inched closer to a 5 ½-year high on growing optimism that hiring and wages could pick up in coming months. The Conference Board, a New York-based private research group, said Tuesday that its ...

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NEW YORK — Smartphones are getting bigger as people use them more to watch movies and play games. A new one from Samsung is beyond big. With a screen measuring 6.3 inches diagonally, the Galaxy Mega is almost as big ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices rose only slightly last month as gas costs increased more slowly. Overall, the figures showed that inflation remains mild. The Labor Department said Thursday that the consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in July after ...

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NEW YORK — Macy’s Inc. reported a disappointing profit for its second quarter and cut its outlook for the year on Wednesday. The department store chain blamed shoppers’ reluctance to spend for a rare slip in sales. The second-quarter weakness ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans borrowed more in June to buy cars and attend schools. But they were frugal again with their credit cards, indicating many remain wary of taking on high-interest debt. Consumers increased their borrowing $13.8 billion in June from ...

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At some Walgreen stores, there are health clinics staffed by nurse practitioners, cafes that sell barista-prepared coffee and Eyebrow Bars where trained professionals groom unruly facial hair. Oh, and pharmacists fill prescriptions, too. The nation’s major drugstore chains are moving ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. service firms expanded in July at the fastest pace since February, fueled by a brisker month of sales and a jump in new orders. The increase suggests economic growth could be picking up after a weak first ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumers increased their spending in June at the fastest pace in four months even though their income growth slowed. Consumer spending rose 0.5 percent in June compared with May, when spending was up 0.2 percent, the Commerce Department ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans are more confident about the economy than at any time since July 2007, a survey found, suggesting consumers will spend more and accelerate growth in the months ahead. The University of Michigan said Friday that its final ...

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