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New economic data from China on Thursday showed that the world’s second-largest economy after the United States expanded at its slowest pace since 2009 during the third quarter of this year — though surprisingly strong data for the month of September also showed that the deceleration may, for now at least, have come to an end.

In the wake of the controversial 7.8% unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Labor Department earlier this month, Gallup today said that its nonseasonally adjusted rate fell from 7.9% at the end of September to 7.3% in mid-October. That is a new low since Gallup began collecting employment data in January 2010.

U.S. builders started construction on homes in September at the fastest rate since July 2008, a further indication that the housing recovery is strengthening and could help the economy grow....

U.S. retail sales rose in September as Americans bought more cars and gasoline, while a gauge of consumer spending pointed to stronger-than-expected economic growth in the third quarter.

After a long period of consumer retrenchment, U.S. families have cut their once-out-of-control debt loads down to pre-recession levels, largely removing one major obstacle to a faster economic recovery.

China posted monthly trade and money-supply data that offered a positive sign for the world's No. 2 economy ahead of what's expected to be the weakest quarterly economic growth report in more than three years.

Jack Welch and his merry band of job truthers must be tearing out what little hair they collectively can find a top their heads. A cascade of economic data out today—all from the private sector—is making it more than clear that not only is the economy performing far better than people seem to think, but that last week’s BLS job numbers turn out to make more than perfect sense.

Two of the nation's largest banks released third-quarter results that suggest the U.S. housing market, a key factor in the nation's economic performance, is bouncing back as mortgage rates hit record lows and home refinancings surge.

U.S. consumer sentiment unexpectedly rose to its highest in five years in October in the latest in a string of encouraging signs from the economy that may boost President Barack Obama's re-election hopes next month.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid plummeted last week to seasonally adjusted 339,000, the lowest level in more than four years. The sharp drop, if sustained, could signal a stronger job market.