Consumer sentiment dips going into holidays (Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment slipped in December but was not far from the year's highs, a report said on Friday, suggesting Americans were guardedly optimistic about the economy in the holiday season.
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August inventories up less than expected (AP)
2008.10.15By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer 5 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Businesses increased their inventories in August by the smallest amount in five months, a possible indication of concerns about the slowing economy.
The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that inventories held by businesses on shelves and backlots rose by 0.3 percent in August, the weakest gain since inventories were up just 0.2 percent in March.
The increase was below the 0.5 percent rise that economists had expected and sharply lower than the 1.1 percent jump in July.
Economists are watching to see whether business confidence begins to falter as the economy weakens. Business plans on inventory growth and investment spending are key factors influencing economic activity.
The 0.3 percent rise in inventories in August reflected a big jump of 0.8 percent in stockpiles held by wholesalers and a rise of 0.6 percent in manufacturing inventories. Stockpiles held by retailers dropped by 0.6 percent.
Total business sales in August fell by 1.8 percent, led by a 3.5 percent plunge in sales by manufacturers. Sales by wholesalers were down 1.5 percent and sales at the retail level fell by 0.5 percent.
Regions : Americas
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November housing starts up (Reuters)
Reuters - The pace of U.S. home building rose in November as new home starts climbed 6.7 percent, rebounding from a sharp decline in October while building permits fell 3 percent, a government report showed on Tuesday.
Reuters - The pace of U.S. home building rose in November as new home starts climbed 6.7 percent, rebounding from a sharp decline in October while building permits fell 3 percent, a government report showed on Tuesday.
US GDP revised down to show 2.0 percent growth pace (AFP)
AFP - US economic growth has been a bit more sluggish than earlier estimated in the third quarter, growing at a 2.0 percent annualized pace, according to revised data.
AFP - US economic growth has been a bit more sluggish than earlier estimated in the third quarter, growing at a 2.0 percent annualized pace, according to revised data.
Consumers boost buying during holidays (AP)
AP - Keeping the nation's cash registers ringing, consumers boosted their spending in November by the largest amount in four months, raising hopes shoppers will act more like Santas than Scrooges during the holidays.
AP - Keeping the nation's cash registers ringing, consumers boosted their spending in November by the largest amount in four months, raising hopes shoppers will act more like Santas than Scrooges during the holidays.
Consumer confidence ebbs, boosts rate hopes (Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence ebbed in December, while a key measure of inflation held steady in November for first time in four years, boosting the chances of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2007.
Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence ebbed in December, while a key measure of inflation held steady in November for first time in four years, boosting the chances of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2007.
