Good News, September | featured news

U.S. consumers spent more on autos, clothing and furniture in September to boost retail sales by the most in seven months.

Consumer sentiment inched up in early September, but Americans remained gloomy about the future with a gauge of expectations falling to the lowest level since 1980, a survey released on Friday showed.

The nation's economic stress fell in September to a 16-month low, thanks to more hiring in New England, fewer foreclosures in the mid-Atlantic and declining bankruptcy filings in the Southeast, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country.

Sales of previously owned homes rose more than expected in September, an industry group said on Monday, indicating the housing market was stabilizing at weaker levels.

Retail sales in the U.S. climbed more than forecast in September, easing concern that unemployment stuck near a 26-year high will bring the recovery to a halt.

While sales were up, overall demand continued to be lower than automakers had expected it to be at this point in the economic recovery.

Consumer sentiment improved a bit in late September but remained weak as a mixed bag of economic reports added up to a picture of sluggish growth.

Orders to U.S. factories rebounded in September, helped by strength in autos, heavy machinery and military aircraft....

Construction spending in September posted a better-than-expected performance, powered by the largest jump in housing construction in more than six years.

The U.S. service sector grew in September for the first time in 13 months, an encouraging sign for the fledgling economic recovery although jobs remain scarce.