Reuters - The U.S. unemployment rate surged to 5.5 percent in May, its highest in more than 3-1/2 years, as the barely growing economy lost jobs for the fifth straight month.

AP - Asked recently how the U.S. minivan market has been faring, Nissan's Dominique Thormann had a concise answer.

Reuters - U.S. stocks slid on Friday on renewed fears the U.S. economy faces 1970s-style stagflation after government data showed the unemployment rate jumped the most in 22 years in May and the price of oil hit a record.

AP - The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 5.5 percent in May — the biggest monthly rise since 1986 — as nervous employers cut 49,000 jobs.

AP - Oil prices soared Thursday as the dollar swooned and prices at the pump edged to within a penny of $4 a gallon.

AP - Rates on 30-year mortgages edged up this week to the highest level since March as investors worried about inflation threats.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rose the most in more than a month on Thursday after Wal-Mart and other retailers posted stronger-than-expected May sales and data showed a surprising fall in weekly jobless claims, spurring optimism about the economy's health.

AP - Wall Street surged Thursday as investors looked past a sharp rebound in oil prices and focused on comforting news about the economy — better-than-expected retail sales and a drop in the number of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits.

AFP - The Big Three US automakers have nearly erased a once gaping productivity gap with their Asian rivals, the author of a key report on factory efficiency said Thursday.

AP - Tax rebate checks gave consumers a little extra money in their pockets during May, but most were still spending conservatively, buying necessities such as food and gas and shying away from splurging on clothing or furniture. The result was some better-than-expected sales for the nation's retailers, with lower-priced merchants like discounters and wholesale clubs showing the strongest gains.

AP - Detroit automakers — and Chrysler in particular — nearly erased the North American productivity gap with their Asian rivals in 2007 thanks to worker buyouts, leaner plants and other improvements, but they still make less money per vehicle because of higher costs, according to the Harbour Report on manufacturing released Thursday.