Reuters - Soaring energy costs pushed U.S. producer prices up sharply last month and housing starts fell to 17-year low, according to data on Tuesday that spotlighted the dilemma the Federal Reserve's faces in trying to tackle weak economic growth amid high inflation.

AP - Wholesale prices barreled ahead while housing and industrial activity faltered — a blend of high-costs and slow growth that ensures the Federal Reserve's most likely move on interest rates next week will be no move whatsoever.

Reuters - American consumers' confidence inched up in the latest week but was still deep into negative territory and near its record low as gasoline prices reached record highs, a report showed on Tuesday.

Reuters - White House hopeful Barack Obama said on Tuesday the weakness in the U.S. dollar reflects the soft economy and large trade deficits, and the best way to strengthen the currency is to restore the economy's health.

Reuters - The economy will likely avoid a formal recession, but its outlook through the end of next year is decidedly "subprime" with the deep housing downturn restraining growth to just above 1 percent, a UCLA Anderson Forecast report released on Wednesday said.

Reuters - The economy of California, the most populous U.S. state, will remain weak this year as the downturn in its housing market persists, but strong exports and agricultural activity will help offset that drag, according to a UCLA Anderson report released on Wednesday.

Reuters - U.S. housing starts slid 3.3 percent in May to their lowest level in more than 17 years, while permits for future construction also fell, signaling more weakness ahead for the battered U.S. housing sector.

Reuters - Ford Motor Co plans to close a Michigan plant that builds large sport utility vehicles for nine weeks as demand for the vehicles has declined amid record high U.S. gas prices.

AFP - US housing starts slid 3.3 percent in May to the slowest pace in 17 years amid a prolonged slump in the real-estate sector, government data showed Tuesday.

Reuters - Soaring energy costs pushed U.S. producer prices up sharply last month and housing starts fell to 17-year low, according to data on Tuesday that spotlighted the Federal Reserve's dilemma of tackling weak growth amid high inflation.

Reuters - U.S. technology stocks rose on Monday for the third straight session, fueled by optimism about sales for Research in Motion's BlackBerry and Apple's new iPhone.