_Economy and Finance

Durable goods orders rise 2.2% in February WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. companies ordered more long-lasting goods last month, showing businesses are willing to buy equipment and machinery even after an investment tax credit was halved.

USA TODAY Mar 21, 2012 Analysis: More drilling hasn't lowered gasoline prices By Michael Winter, USA TODAY Analyzing 36 years of gasoline prices and U.S. oil production, the Associated Press finds no statistical correlation between how much is pumped out of the ground and how much is paid at the pump.

USA Today Existing homes sales dip in February WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. home sales are gradually coming back. A mild winter and a stronger job market have helped boost sales ahead of the crucial spring buying season.

USA Today Housing starts drop in February, but building permits rise By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press WASHINGTON – U.S. builders are betting that the housing market is finally on the path back to health.

USA Today Survey finds uptick in economic optimism By Christopher S. Rugaber, The Associated Press The U.S. economy is improving faster than economists had expected. They now foresee slightly stronger growth and hiring than they did two months earlier.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/stocks/story/2012-02-26/stock-market-bears-doomsayers/53259742/1 3 doomsaying experts who foresee economic devastation ahead By Adam Shell, USA TODAY NEW YORK – Behind the mainstream Wall Street happy talk about more stable financial markets and an improving economy are grim warnings of tough times ahead from a small cadre of doomsayers who warn that the worst of the financial crisis is still to come.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/story/2012-02-27/january-pending-home-sales/53268806/1 Home sales contracts rise 2% in Jan. By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/story/2012-02-27/business-economists-forecast/53268208/1 Business economists see continued slow growth overall By Samantha Bomkamp, Associated Press NEW YORK – Economists are increasingly confident that some pillars of the U.S. economy will improve this year, but they remain cautious in their expectations on the overall pace of economic growth.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/story/2012-02-09/homebuilder-optimism/53032330/1 Home builders and investors both see signs of a turn By Tim Mullaney, USA TODAY Barb Jandric, the head of Minnesota's biggest real estate broker, hasn't seen the Minneapolis market boost sales without government aid in six years — until a narrow gain in 2011. Ryland Chief Executive Larry Nicholson hasn't seen a yearly profit since before the recession, but the home builder expects one this year, buoyed by a 31% increase in homes on order at year's end.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/story/2012-01-06/deflation-inflation-threat-to-stocks/52457310/1 Forget inflation: Is deflation the real threat? By John Waggoner, USA TODAY Ask most investors what they worry about, and they'll tell you it's inflation — specifically, a period of soaring prices that destroys the value of the dollar.

USATODAYmoney: Nov. home sales up 4%, but earlier sales revised down http://t.co/ON9gZVFG Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/149519203878187008 Nov. home sales up 4%, but earlier sales revised down By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who bought previously occupied homes rose last month. But the National Association of Realtors says it overstated about 3.5 million sales during and after the Great Recession, showing the housing market remains much weaker than previously thought.

USATODAYmoney: Europe hopes, housing starts lift stocks http://t.co/vF0UJARM Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/149228143465598976 Europe hopes, strong housing starts lift stocks By Matthew Craft, Associated Press NEW YORK – The Dow Jones industrial average surged 337 points following encouraging signs out of Europe and a jump in apartment construction in the U.S. It was the best day for U.S. stocks this month.

USATODAYmoney: Geithner 'encouraged' by progress in Europe http://t.co/PvrwsOZG Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/144129293042188288 Dec 06, 2011 Geithner 'encouraged' by fiscal progress in Europe By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY 2011.12.06 12:38 PM As he hopscotches from Germany to France to Italy this week, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner sounds upbeat about the prospects of Europe surmounting a debt crisis that threatens the U.S. economy as well.

USATODAYmoney: Fed, other central banks act to ease strains in world markets http://t.co/ZYjpc6gQ Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/141876452038676480 Dow up 490 points: Stocks soar after central banks' moves By Gary Strauss, Adam Shell and Matt Krantz, USA TODAY 2011.11.30 03:23 PM Stocks soared Wednesday after central banks around the world agreed to pump more liquidity into European banks, an effort designed to loosen credit and stimulate economic growth in Europe and prevent its debt crisis from unhinging the global economy.

USA Today: Europe crisis could affect trade for Asia, Africa By Kathy Chu, USA TODAY 2011.11.30 02:54 PM HONG KONG – As European banks reduce international lending, it's hurting importers and exporters in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and raising fears of a trade-crippling global credit crunch.

Homebuying contracts hit highest level in a year in Oct. By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press 2011.11.30 01:14 PM WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes jumped in October to the highest level in a year. But the gain follows three months of declines and isn't enough to signal a housing recovery.

From http://www.usatoday.com/ Economists forecast modest growth for next year By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The U.S. economy will muddle through the next year without a recession, but growth will be too weak to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate, according to the latest nationwide survey of economic forecasters.

Existing home sales up 1.4%, still at depressed levels By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press 2011.11.21 10:03 AM WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who bought previously occupied homes rose slightly last month but remained at depressed levels. And more deals are being canceled at the last minute, a sign that even those who are looking to buy are worried about the housing market.

U.S. economy showing signs of life by several measures From AP Business reports WASHINGTON – U.S. industrial production rose in October at the fastest rate in three months. Factories made more trucks, electronics and business equipment, a sign that manufacturing is recovering after slowing this spring.

Homebuilders feel less pessimistic in November By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press 2011.11.16 10:49 AM WASHINGTON – Homebuilders are feeling a little less pessimistic about the struggling housing market. But their mood hasn't changed enough to signal a recovery anytime soon.