WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy unexpectedly shrank from October through December, the first quarterly drop since 2009 and a reminder of the economy’s vulnerability as automatic cuts in government spending loom. The Commerce Department said the economy shrank at an ...

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NEW YORK — Economists are increasingly, but still cautiously, optimistic about growth in the year ahead with the hiring expected to pick up in coming months. A quarterly survey by the National Association for Business Economists released Monday shows half ...

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WASHINGTON — A Metro board member says public support is a key to getting Maryland, Virginia and the federal government to pay for a new growth plan for the transit system. The plan presented Thursday to the board could cost ...

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Banks have long courted students with free checking accounts and other enticements. Now, they’re partnering with colleges and universities to introduce an array of services linked to student life: on-campus ATMs, debit cards and electronic handling of financial aid.

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WASHINGTON — A measure of the U.S. economy designed to signal future activity increased in December from November, suggesting growth may strengthen in early 2013. The Conference Board said Thursday that its index of leading indicators rose 0.5 percent in ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to the lowest level in five years, evidence that employers are cutting fewer jobs and may step up hiring. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment benefit ...

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The state has approved the expansion of Enterprise Zones in Baltimore and Salisbury, making more land available for businesses that could receive tax breaks for operating within those zones.

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WASHINGTON — Holiday shopping, strong auto sales and a recovering housing market helped boost the U.S. economy from the middle of November through early January, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday. The Fed said 12 of its regional ...

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WASHINGTON — More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though the winter holidays likely distorted the data for the second straight week. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications rose by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 in the ...

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WASHINGTON — Business economists believe the country will see modest growth in 2013, with strength coming from a further rebound in housing that will help offset weakness in business investment. In its latest survey of top forecasters, the National Association ...

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