Summary Box: Bumpy recovery expected as 2 economic reports come in lower than expected

October 2nd, 2009 Summary Box: Another cruel month for jobseekersRISING PINK SLIPS: Employers cut 263,000 jobs in September, after a reduction of 201,000 in August. Even though the economy is in a recovery, companies are still sticking with cost cutting.

October 1st, 2009 Summary Box: Jobs, manufacturing data disappointCONSUMERS: Consumer spending surged 1.3 percent in August, due partly to the now-ended Cash for Clunkers program. But incomes posted a lackluster 0.2 percent gain, and the number of newly laid-off workers rose more than expected to 551,000 last week.

September 30th, 2009 Summary Box: Economic recovery looks bumpyTHE WAY WE WERE: The economy contracted at a pace of 0.7 percent in the second quarter, a vast improvement from the first three months of this year, when the economy shrank at a pace of 6.4 percent, the biggest downhill slide in nearly three decades. THE RECOVERY PHASE: Many analysts predict the economy returned to growth in the just-ended third quarter at a pace of at least 3 percent.

September 30th, 2009 Stock futures retreat ahead housing, consumer dataThe stock market headed for a modestly lower open Tuesday as investors await the latest reading on consumer confidence. Stock futures fell slightly, a pullback to be expected after the market shot higher Monday and propelled the Dow Jones industrials up more than 120 points.

September 23rd, 2009 Summary Box: Fed says economy is picking upIMPROVING PICTURE: Federal Reserve policymakers upgraded their view of the economy, saying "economic activity has picked up." SLOWING SOME SUPPORT: The Fed decided to stretch out a program intended to lower mortgage rates and prop up the housing market. It says it will complete its $1.45 trillion program to buy mortgage-backed securities and debt by the end of March, rather than the end of this year.

September 17th, 2009 Summary Box: Mixed reports on housing and jobsGOOD NEWS: Housing construction rose in August, while fewer laid-off workers sought jobless aid last week, more evidence that the recession is over. BAD NEWS: The housing gain was due solely to an increase in apartment-house building, while construction in the much-larger single-family-home segment fell for the first time in six months.

September 16th, 2009 Summary Box: Industrial production rose last monthMORE GROWTH, NO INFLATION: Government data show the nation's factories, mines and utilities boosted production for the second straight month in August, the latest sign of an economic recovery. At the same time, inflation remains in check.

September 3rd, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims dip less than expectedJOBLESS CLAIMS ELEVATED: The Labor Department said the number of laid-off workers applying for benefits dipped to 570,000 from an upwardly revised 574,000 the previous week. The number of Americans continuing to receive benefits rose unexpectedly to 6.23 million.

September 3rd, 2009 OECD predicts earlier recovery than forecastPARIS — The world economy is headed for an earlier recovery than previously forecast, although the pace of the rebound will likely remain modest for some time to come, the OECD said Thursday. The Paris-based watchdog of industrialized nations said recessions this year in Japan and the euro zone will be less severe than the organization forecast in June, while the outlook for the U.S.

August 26th, 2009 Summary Box: New home sales riseWHAT HAPPENED?: Sales of new U.S. homes rose 9.6 percent last month, as first-time homebuyers seized on a tax credit that covers 10 percent of the home price, up to $8,000.

August 25th, 2009 Summary Box: Consumer sentiment, home prices upWHAT HAPPENED?: Consumer confidence improved more than expected in August, and a nationwide gauge of home prices rose for the first time in three years, a sign the housing sector is stabilizing. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?: Improved consumer sentiment and higher home prices could mean consumers will spend more in the coming months, providing a much-needed boost to the economy.

August 21st, 2009 Summary Box: 17 states see lower jobless ratesWHAT HAPPENED: Seventeen states saw their unemployment rates decline in July, while 26 reported increases. Though joblessness is still widespread, that's an improvement from June, when only five saw a drop.

August 21st, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims bad sign for recoveryWHAT HAPPENED?: New jobless claims rose for the second straight week, disappointing analysts who were expecting a drop. At the same time, an index of leading economic indicators and a regional manufacturing index rose, providing more evidence that the economy may be recovering.

August 13th, 2009 Summary Box: Unexpected drop in retail salesWHAT HAPPENED?: Retail sales fell unexpectedly in July, while first-time claims for jobless benefits rose slightly last week. The reports raised concerns about the ability of consumers to fuel a broad economic recovery.

August 5th, 2009 Summary Box: Clunker cash is no long-term solutionWHAT'S HAPPENING: The "cash-for-clunkers" program provides rebates of up to $4,500 to drivers who trade in a gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. That's boosting car sales and generating much-needed sales taxes.