Good News, 2010 | featured news

The number of people who signed contracts to buy homes rose in August for the second straight month but remained far below last year's pace.

Sales of U.S. homes rose 7.6% in August -- recovering from their steep descent in July, when the end of a popular government stimulus program drove sales to their lowest levels in more than a decade.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index shows a modest 1% gain over May figures, with prices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco increasing.

Consumer spending rose at the strongest pace in four months in July, supported by a small gain in incomes, offering hope that consumers will be able to keep contributing to a modest recovery.

New month starts higher after European bank profits boost U.S. financials.

For those seeking hope in the better-than-expected 23.6 percent jump in new home sales in June: it's only one month's data.

Economists say the U.S. recovery continued during the second quarter of this year with more businesses hiring workers and fewer cutting jobs, but the pace of growth has slowed, a new survey shows.

Private employers add 83,000 jobs in June, more than double the rate in May but still below the numbers that would suggest a strong recovery.

General Motors said its U.S. sales in May jumped 32% for the four brands the company kept after its restructuring thanks to continued strong demand for crossover vehicles and cars.

In a sign that the state's struggling labor market may be strengthening, 14,200 positions were added by employers in April, the second straight month of expansion.