Bad economic news across the board is weighing on Americans’ mood this month. The consumer sentiment index fell to a 5-month low in March, thanks to increases in the U.S. trade deficit, higher jobless claims, and a more than 4…
Economists and commentators talk why initial jobless claims need to falling below the 400,000 level. But exactly why is that number significant for the U.S. economy and investors? Here’s the lowdown, based on the past performan…
Yes, the unemployment rate sank below 9% in February, but the investors didn’t seem to be impressed by that report. They’re expected to focus this week on government data regarding consumer credit, some retail earnings and who…
This week we turn the calendar page, and that change brings with it a raft of economic data. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver his semiannual monetary policy testimony before Congress, while Wall Street waits on more earn…
Another good week for the U.S. economy: Initial jobless claims fell below the key 400,000 level, and the consumer sentiment index rose to its highest point in eight months, indicating that Americans are increasingly confident t…