WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are starting to see some relief from higher gas prices, a change that could revive the economy in the months ahead. Consumer prices were flat in April, largely because of a decline in gas prices. Lower ...

Tagged with: consumer confidence consumer prices earnings Economy gas prices inflation job growth memorial day purchases retail sales spending

FREDERICK — Three people in Frederick have been accused of using counterfeit case to buy goods at local stores. The Frederick News-Post reports that the trio was using counterfeit bills to purchase items at Walmart and Kmart stores, then returning ...

Tagged with: cash conspiracy crime frederick kmart police purchases theft walmart

WASHINGTON  — Builders ended 2011 with a third straight year of dismal home construction and the worst on record for single-family home building. But improvement at the end of the year lifted hopes for an eventual recovery. In December, builders ...

Tagged with: builders buyers commerce department construction Foreclosures home construction homes mortgage National Association of Home Builders new homes purchases Recession sellers single-family homes

NEW YORK — When it comes to mobile shopping, so far there’s more buzz than buy. As the number of people who use iPhones and other smartphones grows, companies selling everything from hardware to high fashion are touting all the ...

Tagged with: Business droid purchases Retail revenue sales smartphones

WASHINGTON — A surge in auto purchases helped lift retail sales in October by the largest amount in seven months. But excluding autos, retail sales rose more modestly. October marked the fourth straight increase in retail sales after declines in ...

Tagged with: auto commerce department demand Economy gdp purchases Recession sales stock market Unemployment united states

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve announced a bold plan Wednesday to try to invigorate the economy by buying $600 billion more in Treasury bonds. The Fed said it would buy about $75 billion a month in long-term government bonds through ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke debt Economy fed federal reserve mortgages purchases treasury bonds