LONDON — A disappointing U.S. retail sales report weighed on stock markets Monday but helped the euro clamber off two-year lows against the dollar. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that retail sales fell 0.5 percent in June from the previous ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans barely increased their spending at retail businesses in April and May, constrained by weak job creation and paltry wage increases. A sharp drop in gas prices pulled down overall sales in both months by 0.2 percent, the ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. factory output increased in April, helped by a gain in auto production. Busier factories have driven stronger hiring this year and helped the economy grow. The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that factory production rose 0.6 percent in ...

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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 ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans stepped up spending on retail goods in February, evidence that a stronger job market is boosting the economy. Consumers bought more autos, clothes and appliances. They also paid higher prices for gas. Retail sales increased 1.1 percent ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans rebounded from a weak holiday season and stepped up spending on retail goods in January. The latest government report on retail sales pointed to a slowly improving economy. Retail sales rose at a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent ...

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WASHINGTON — Retail sales barely rose in December, but the gain was enough to lift sales to a record level for 2011. It marked the largest annual increase in more than a decade. Sales inched up 0.1 percent in December ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans spent more on autos, furniture and clothing at the start of the crucial holiday shopping season, boosting retail sales for a sixth straight month. Retail sales rose 0.2 percent in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That’s ...

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WASHINGTON— Factories are producing more. Construction is growing. People are buying more cars. The holiday shopping season is off to a strong start. Normally, all that would suggest a bright outlook for the economy. Problem is, employers still aren’t hiring ...

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WASHINGTON — Consumers spent more on gasoline, clothing and autos in April, pushing retail sales up for a 10th straight month. But much of the gain came from a surge in gasoline and food prices. Retail sales rose 0.5 percent ...

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