WASHINGTON — A sharp drop in auto sales caused largely by a calendar quirk lowered U.S. retail spending in September. But Americans spent more on most other goods, showing some confidence in the economy before much of the government shut ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy existing homes fell in September to the lowest level in nine months. The decline reflects higher mortgage rates and home prices that have made purchases more costly. The National ...

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DETROIT — Sales fell at General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen in September, an odd month that appears likely to snap a 27-month streak of gains for the U.S. auto industry. GM posted an 11 percent decline compared with a year ...

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Americans may have slowed their spending in September after splurging during the start of the busy back-to-school shopping season in the month before. But most importantly, they were still spending. September sales rose 3.9 percent — a slowdown from the ...

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WASHINGTON — Employers advertised more jobs in September than at any other point in the past three years. The increase suggests hiring could pick up in the next few months. Competition for jobs is fierce. And many employers aren’t rushing ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. builders spent slightly more in September on home construction, partially offsetting losses in public schools, roads and government offices. Construction spending rose 0.2 percent in September from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $787.2 billion, ...

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NEW YORK — September offered the latest sign that Americans will shop, but only when they think they’re getting a deal. The International Council of Shopping Centers said Thursday that revenue rose 5.5 percent in September, with several retailers including ...

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DETROIT — U.S. buyers shrugged off economic worries and snapped up SUVs and pickups last month, surprising the auto industry and raising hopes that a bumpy year will end on a high note. Big trucks typically sell when the housing ...

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CAMP HILL, Pa. — Drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp. said Thursday that an important revenue measurement rose in September as its pharmacy business improved. The company said revenue at stores open at least a year grew 1.3 percent over the ...

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WASHINGTON — Inventories held at the wholesale level rose for a ninth consecutive month in September while sales rose for a third month, encouraging signs that the economic expansion will continue. Wholesale inventories rose 1.5 percent in September, a much ...

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