Home sales far exceeded expectations in October, surging to the highest level in 21/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit. ...more

November 24, 2009

The number of buyers snapping up new homes dipped unexpectedly in September as the effects of a temporary tax credit for first-time owners started to wear off. ...more

October 29, 2009

The number of newly laid-off Americans signing up for unemployment benefits last week and those using this safety net over a longer period both plunged. The government figures released Thursday were clouded by difficulties adjusting for temporary shutdowns at auto plants. ...more

July 17, 2009

The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely because of the auto industry. ...more

July 10, 2009

Best Buy Co. Inc. reported Tuesday that its first-quarter profit fell 15 percent - even as Circuit City, a key competitor, closed the last of its stores - because recession-weary shoppers were still limiting big-ticket purchases. ...more

June 17, 2009

Lennar lost $155 million in the first quarter of 2009. ...more

March 30, 2009

It was the second-worst month on record for sales of new homes. But last month still brought a long-awaited shred of good news for the battered building industry. ...more

March 26, 2009

New glimmers of hope emerged in economic figures released Wednesday: •The Commerce Department said orders for durable goods, manufactured products expected to last at least three years, increased 3.4 percent in February, much better than the 2 percent economists had expected. It was the strongest one-month gain in 14 months. ...more

March 26, 2009

Sales of existing homes rose from January to February in an unexpected boost for the slumping U.S housing market as buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures. ...more

March 23, 2009

President Barack Obama is hoping to use comedian Jay Leno's late-night show to add a light touch to his work getting the economy on track. But news photographers who cover the White House aren't laughing. ...more

March 19, 2009