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Retailers report strong gains for June
NEW YORK — June sales heated up for stores, in a sign that Americans likely will continue to spend during the important back-to-school shopping season. U.S. retailers reported their strongest sales gains since January, as shoppers, enticed by warm weather and an improving economy, took advantage of summer discounts. Revenue at stores opened at least […]
U.S. durable goods orders up 0.2 percent in April
WASHINGTON — Orders for long-lasting factory goods edged up slightly in April. But a measure of tracks business investment spending fell for a second straight month. Durable goods orders increased 0.2 percent last month after a 3.7 percent decline in March, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Gains in volatile commercial aircraft orders and more demand […]
Stocks inch higher, shaking off 4 weeks of losses
NEW YORK — It was another day of big swings in the Dow Jones industrial average, but at least Monday ended with a modest gain. The Dow soared 200 points in the morning, an encouraging start after four weeks of losses. By noon that gain shriveled to just 2 points, then came a rise of […]
Stocks swing as Europe, economy fears spread
Don’t look away for too long. You might miss a market rally. Or a plunge. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 80 points after being down as many as 245 points on Friday. It had been up by as many as 171 points after a solid jobs report in the morning. Many investors fear […]
Constellation earns 49 cents per share, but misses estimates
Profits at Constellation Energy Group Inc. climbed 37 percent in the second quarter based on strong performances at its core businesses, the company reported Wednesday. Constellation reported earnings of $99.2 million, or 49 cents a share, compared to $72.6 million, or 36 cents a share, in the quarter last year. Adjusted earnings, which do not […]
State pension system investments post strong gains in FY ‘11
The cash and investments Maryland uses to pay retirement benefits to its former employees increased to $37.5 billion in fiscal 2011, a $6 billion gain that came during a time of strong growth and recovery in the stock market. The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System’s 20 percent return on its investments during the 12 […]
Stocks dip after biggest day in a year
NEW YORK — A rally over hopes for a debt-limit deal turned into a waiting game for investors. One day after the Dow Jones industrial average had its best day this year, the stock market edged lower on Wednesday. Analysts say concerns about lifting the U.S. debt limit outweighed strong earnings from Apple and a slew […]
Leading indicators rise 0.4 percent in March
NEW YORK — A private research group says its measure of future economic activity rose 0.4 percent in March, the ninth straight monthly increase. The gains in the index suggest that the economy will strengthen as summer approaches, despite rising oil and food prices and the impact of the earthquake in Japan, the world’s third-largest […]
Unofficial report shows big December jobs gain
WASHINGTON— Companies added nearly 300,000 jobs in December, according to an unofficial count by a private payroll firm — more than in any month in the past decade. The news raised hopes that the government’s official report Friday on last month’s job creation could be a blockbuster. While there were reasons to doubt the numbers, […]
Maryland unemployment rate in Nov. stays at 7.4%
Maryland added 2,100 jobs in November, the sixth straight month of gains but not enough to bring the state’s unemployment rate down from 7.4 percent. Maryland has now generated approximately 39,000 net jobs since January, state officials said. That’s the largest year-to-date increase since 2000, with jobs added at a rate (1.6 percent) that is […]
Discounts lead to biggest retail gains in 4 years
NEW YORK — Generous discounts lured Americans to stores and online for holiday gifts in November, providing cheer and delivering the best gains for retailers in four years. That raises hopes, already buoyed by reports of crowded malls and early numbers, for a strong holiday shopping season and is an encouraging sign for the economic […]
