Summary Box: Jobs, manufacturing data show recovery off to bumpy start; modest rebound likelyOctober 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.
Summary Box: Economic recovery in progress after recession eased in spring; bumpy road aheadSeptember 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.
Summary Box: Bumpy recovery expected as 2 economic reports come in lower than expectedSeptember 25th, 2009 Summary Box: Durable goods, homes data disappointDISAPPOINTING REPORTS: Orders for autos, appliances and other goods that are expected to last at least three years dropped 2.4 percent in August, defying economists' estimates of a 0.5 percent gain. Sales of new homes inched up 0.7 percent, also less than forecast.
'Chartered accountants safe from meltdown'September 19th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - At a time of pink slips, salary cuts and global economic gloom, what is the best job to have? Be a chartered accountant, that's what a top group of accountants says. "There is no impact of recession on Indian chartered accountants (CAs) because no company can manage without them.
Summary Box: Housing starts, jobless claims reports signal fragile recoverySeptember 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.
Summary Box: New jobless claims dip less than expected, weak labor market may hinder recoverySeptember 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.
Summary Box: Productivity, factory orders increase in latest hopeful signs of recession's endSeptember 2nd, 2009 Summary Box: Productivity, factory orders riseMORE STRONG NUMBERS: Productivity in the second quarter posted its best showing since 2003, while cost-cutting by companies pushed labor costs down by the most in nine years. A separate report showed factory orders climbed in July, the fifth gain in six months.
Summary Box: Manufacturing, housing data boost recovery hopes, consumers are the keySeptember 1st, 2009 Summary Box: Manufacturing, housing data improveMANUFACTURING GROWTH: The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index showed growth in the sector in August for the first time in 19 months, posting the highest number since June 2007. New customer orders jumped to a level not seen since December 2004.
Summary Box: Incomes flat in July but spending rises modestly with help of Cash for ClunkersAugust 28th, 2009 Summary Box: Incomes flat but spending up modestlySTAGNANT INCOMES: Household income failed to grow last month as consumer spending edged up 0.2 percent, aided by the now-ended Cash for Clunkers program. SPENDING CONCERNS: Personal incomes have fallen or remained unchanged in eight of the past 10 months.
Summary Box: New home sales surge 9.6 percent in July in sign of economic recoveryAugust 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.
Summary Box: Weak job market could dampen consumer spending and hamper recoveryAugust 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.
Summary Box: Bernanke sees economy nearing a recovery, but financial problems persistAugust 21st, 2009 Summary Box: Bernanke sees economy near recoveryWHAT HAPPENED?: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered his most optimistic view on the economy since the financial crisis struck. He said there's a good chance the economy will start growing again soon.
Summary Box: Fed faces economic and political pressures in reeling in emergency aidAugust 20th, 2009 Summary Box: Fed faces hard task in reeling in aidTHE CHALLENGE: The Federal Reserve eventually will have to dismantle emergency programs and reel in the trillions of dollars it's plowed into the economy to try to revive business activity, unlock lending and stabilize financial markets. WHAT'S AT STAKE: Timing is vital.
Summary Box: Consumer prices down over past year by biggest amount in nearly 6 decadesAugust 14th, 2009 Summary Box: Consumer inflation a no-show in JulyWHAT HAPPENED?: Consumer prices were unchanged in July, and over the past 12 months they have fallen 2.1 percent — the sharpest annual decline since a similar drop in the period ending in January 1950. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?: The recession and falling energy prices made inflation nonexistent — welcome news for consumers struggling with high unemployment, diminished savings and falling home values.
Summary Box: Retail sales drop unexpectedly as consumers keep wallets closedAugust 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.