WASHINGTON — A survey of U.S. chief executives shows a sharp drop in the number of large companies that plan to add jobs or hire more workers. The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that only 29 percent of its member CEOs ...

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WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes in the United States dipped slightly in August from July but the median price of homes sold during the month rose by a record amount. New-home sales edged down to a seasonally adjusted annual ...

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. current account trade deficit narrowed in the April-June period, pushed lower by an increase in American exports and cheaper oil imports. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the deficit in the current account decreased 12.1 percent ...

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WASHINGTON  — The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage held steady this week, staying slightly above the lowest level on record. Low mortgage rates have aided a modest housing recovery. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate ...

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve ends a two-day meeting Thursday with expectations high for some new action to jolt the lackluster U.S. economy. Many investors hope the Fed will take the bold step of launching a third bond-buying program. The ...

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WASHINGTON — The Census Bureau reports the number of Americans in poverty stood at 15 percent in 2011. About 46.2 million people, or nearly 1 in 6, were in poverty. That is not statistically different from the 15.1 percent who ...

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WASHINGTON — If the world’s investors are right, the Federal Reserve is about to take a bold new step to try to invigorate the U.S. economy. And many expect the Fed to unleash its most potent weapon: a third round ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. employers posted fewer jobs in July than in June, the latest evidence that hiring is weak. Job openings fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.67 million, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That down from June’s 3.72 million job ...

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BEIJING — China’s imports shrank unexpectedly in August in a sign its economic slump is worsening and the Chinese president warned growth could slow further, prompting expectations of possible new stimulus spending. Imports declined 2.6 percent from a year earlier, ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added 96,000 jobs in August, a tepid figure that points to the economy’s persistent weakness and slowing prospects for the unemployed. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent in July. But that was ...

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