AP - Government data due out Thursday is expected to show that the number of newly laid off people filing claims for jobless benefits went down last week after spiking to a five-year high. -- read full article
AP - The outlook for the back-to-school shopping season looked grim Thursday, as retailers' July sales reports showed an increasing shift toward buying necessities like food and household supplies at discounters and away from discretionary splurges on clothing.
AP - The European Central Bank and the Bank of England left their benchmark interest rates unchanged Thursday under conflicting pressure from higher inflation and mounting concern about growth. -- read full article
AP - The nation's jobs market sent a fresh cry of distress as the number of newly laid off people unexpectedly hit the highest level in more than six years, a Labor Department report showed Thursday.
AP - South Korea's central bank said Thursday it raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage point to cope with spiraling inflation. -- read full article
AP - A key barometer of corporate capital spending fell for the first time in three months in June, indicating Japanese businesses are feeling the pinch of a sputtering global economy. -- read full article
AP - The European Central Bank and Bank of England will likely leave interest rates unchanged Thursday, as both banks consider how to steer their economies away from mounting inflation and slowing growth. -- read full article
AP - The number of people filing claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to the highest level in five years, reflecting in large part a new government outreach effort to locate people eligible for benefits.
AP - Wages and benefits paid to U.S. workers rose by a moderate amount in the spring that should not set off any inflation concerns at the Federal Reserve. -- read full article
AP - For a second straight meeting, the Federal Reserve has decided to remain on the sidelines and leave interest rates alone. In the opinion of many economists, that stance may prevail not only for the rest of this year but well into 2009.
AP - Banker Elizabeth Duke was sworn in as a member of the Federal Reserve, which has been battling housing, credit and financial crises with a short staff. -- read full article
Reuters - The U.S. service sector shrank
slightly for the second consecutive month in July but by less
than economists had expected, according to a report released on
Tuesday that also showed inflation pressures moderating.
Reuters - The U.S. Federal Reserve on Tuesday
began a one-day meeting at which it is expected to hold
interest rates steady amid poor housing and credit conditions,
while signaling inflation concerns even as oil prices ease.
