Retail sales posted a surprising rebound in January following a dismal December, though much of the strength reflected rising gasoline prices. Economists saw the increase as a temporary blip rather than a sustained recovery. ...more

February 14, 2008

Urging quick approval of a $150 billion stimulus plan, Bush said an infusion of consumer spending is needed to stave off a recession. Although House leaders have approved the plan, Senate Democrats are expanding it to include money for Social Security recipients and an extension of unemployment benefits. Bush warned this "would delay or derail it, and neither option is acceptable." ...more

January 29, 2008

The success of the federal $150 billion emergency economic stimulus plan will hinge on whether American consumers do what they do best - spend, spend, spend. ...more

January 26, 2008

If you get a pay envelope, Uncle Sam's about to put a little something extra in it. Then he wants you to go out and spend, spend, spend. ...more

January 25, 2008

A growing conviction that the United States is headed toward recession sent Wall Street plunging Tuesday, with weak retail sales figures and disappointing results from Citigroup exacerbating investors' pessimistic mood. The Dow Jones industrials tumbled nearly 280 points. ...more

January 16, 2008

The nation's major retailers are slated to report tepid sales gains for December today, likely making the holiday shopping season the weakest since 2002. ...more

January 10, 2008

Early holiday sales reports are weak, with Target Corp., the nation's No. 2 retailer, warning that its sales may have fallen in December. ...more

December 26, 2007

With Christmas approaching fast, the next couple of weeks will bring the seasonal decorations and sights that shine every year. Among the green and red lights, the eggnog and the menorah, another seasonal spectacle will emerge. ...more

December 22, 2007

U.S. economic growth will slow to 1 percent in the fourth quarter as consumer spending cools and the housing slump enters its third year, a survey showed. ...more

December 12, 2007

Consumers battered by a slumping housing market and a credit crunch slowed the growth in spending to the smallest amount in four months. In another sign of weakness, construction activity fell by a larger-than-expected amount. ...more

December 1, 2007