Stories by Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, May 16, 2013

US jobless claims jump to highest level in 6 weeks

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 32,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 360,000, the most since late March. The jump came a week after applications had reached a ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Jobless claims hit 5-year low

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits fell by 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, a five-year low.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Friday, May 3, 2013

Job gains in April ease fears about economy

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy showed in April that it's healthier than many had feared, adding a solid 165,000 jobs and driving the unemployment rate down a notch to a four-year low of 7.5 percent.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Brighter view on jobs, pay lifts confidence

Americans are more optimistic the job market is healing and will deliver higher pay later this year. That brighter outlook, along with rising home prices, cheaper gasoline and a surging stock ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Monday, April 29, 2013

US consumers boost spending in March

Americans kept increasing their spending in March and their income grew, further indication that consumers are shaking off higher taxes.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Friday, April 26, 2013

US economy picks up

WASHINGTON - After nearly stalling in late 2012, the American economy quickened its pace early this year despite deep government cutbacks.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Confidence in job market improving

Americans increasingly feel they could find a new job if necessary, according to the results of the 2012 General Social Survey. And fear of being laid off dropped last year from its 2010 peak to ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Monday, April 22, 2013

US home sales slip as supply remains tight

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes dipped in March as the supply remained tight. But the sales pace remained ahead of last year's.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Measure of US economy's health declines

The Conference Board says its index of leading indicators dipped 0.1 percent last month to 94.7. That's the first decline after three months of gains. The gauge is designed to anticipate economic ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

US unemployment claims rise

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits increased just 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 352,000. The slight gain kept applications at a level consistent with solid hiring and ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Housing, auto sales lift US economy

A strengthening housing recovery and robust auto sales contributed to moderate economic growth across the United States in late February and March, according to a Federal Reserve survey known as ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

IMF urges Fed to monitor stimulus

The International Monetary Fund is urging the Federal Reserve and other central banks to closely monitor their extraordinary efforts to jump-start economic growth, warning that the policies could ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Economy makes progress, vital signs show recovery

Home foreclosures and layoffs have dropped to pre-recession levels. Economic output has rebounded. And the Dow Jones industrial average is in record territory. But unemployment and housing have ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Private employers add fewer jobs in March

Private employers added 158,000 jobs last month, payroll processor ADP said Wednesday. That's down from February's gain of 237,000 and January's 177,000.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

CEOs optimistic about economy

The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that 72 percent of its members expect sales will increase in the next six months. That's up from 58 percent at the end of last year. And 38 percent plan to ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, March 7, 2013

US household wealth tops pre-recession peak

Surging stock prices and steady home-price increases have finally allowed Americans to regain the $16 trillion in wealth they lost to the Great Recession. The gains are helping support the economy ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Service firms grows at fastest pace in a year

The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 56 in February from 55.2 in January. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

Economy showing strength as spending cuts loom

Even with automatic spending cuts looming, the outlook for the U.S. economy brightened a bit Tuesday after reports showed that Americans are more confident and are buying more new homes.
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

Jobless aid claims rise

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits jumped 20,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 362,000, though it remains at a level that suggests slow but steady improvement in the job ...
By Christopher S. Rugaber

Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

SEC alleges insider trading ahead of Heinz deal

Federal regulators have alleged that a brokerage account in Switzerland was used for illegal insider trading ahead of the H.J. Heinz acquisition Thursday.
By Christopher S. Rugaber
Top headlines

Man charged in deaths of parents, brother

Richmond County sheriff's investigators have charged Ryan David Jones with three counts of murder and related charges in connection to Tuesday's discovery of three charred bodies in south Augusta.
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