U.S. regains private jobs lost in recession, but so what?
The U.S. economy has reached a milestone: It has finally regained all the private-sector jobs it lost during the Great Recession.
Howard Bank growing out of the recession
At the end of 2013, some community banks in Maryland were cautiously stepping out of the shadows of the Great Recession. Others were still suffering its effects. Howard Bank was making moves to expand.
RV industry is hitched up and rolling again
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — RV manufacturers expect to pass another milestone in their steady recovery from the recession that landed the industry in a deep ditch. Led by sales growth for towable RVs and pricier stand-alone motor homes, recreational vehicle makers expect to ship more than 300,000 units to dealers’ lots this year for the first […]
Moody’s: Established gambling markets faltering
LAS VEGAS — Established gambling towns like Las Vegas and Atlantic City are hurting as more states start welcoming bettors’ dollars, Moody’s Investors Service warned last week. The credit rating agency issued a report describing a shift in casino tax revenues away from New Jersey, Indiana and Nevada to new markets in places like Pennsylvania, […]
Survey of businesses shows expectations of growth
M&T Bank's semi-annual survey shows optimism among mid-size businesses and commercial real estate firms.
Employers posted fewer jobs, but hired more in July
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers advertised fewer jobs in July but hired more workers, a mixed sign that suggests only modest improvement in the job market. Job openings fell 180,000 in July to 3.7 million, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That’s down from 3.9 million the previous month, which was revised lower. Overall hiring increased to […]
Economists keep rosy view for 3 pct growth in 2014
Business forecasters maintained their rosy view of the U.S. economy in 2014, predicting 3 percent growth by the second quarter of next year, low inflation and improving employment. The top economists surveyed by the National Association of Business Economics between Aug. 8 and Aug. 20 also said there’s an 80 percent likelihood that the pickup […]
U.S. consumer sentiment falls from 6-year high
WASHINGTON — A measure of U.S. consumer confidence slipped this month from a six-year high in July, as Americans expressed less optimism about the coming months. The University of Michigan says that its final reading of consumer sentiment dropped to 82.1 in August from 85.1 in the previous month. Americans said they were less confident […]
Consumer spending up weak 0.1 percent in July
WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers barely increased their spending in July as their income grew more slowly, held back in part by steep government spending cuts that reduced federal workers’ salaries. The tepid gains suggest economic growth is off to a weak start in the July-September quarter. The Commerce Department said Friday that consumer spending rose […]
Economy grew at 2.5 percent rate in spring
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual rate from April through June, much faster than previously estimated. The steep revision was largely because U.S. companies exported more goods and imports declined. The Commerce Department said second-quarter growth was sharply higher than the initial 1.7 percent rate it reported last month. And […]
Unemployment aid applications rise to 336,000
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week after reaching the lowest level in 5 ½ years. But the broader trend suggests companies are laying off fewer workers and could step up hiring in the months ahead. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications for first-time benefits rose 13,000 to […]
Economist bullish on Maryland industries
Construction jobs are expected to drive growth in Maryland employment over the next few years, a Towson University economist said, helping an industry that he said was “devastated” by the national economic recession.