U.S. auto sales fell 37 percent in March, a smaller-than-expected drop that encouraged hope that the world's largest car market is nearing a bottom after a freefall that has pulled the industry into a deepening crisis.
U.S. auto sales fell 37 percent in March, a smaller-than-expected drop that encouraged hope the world's largest car market is nearing a bottom after a freefall that has pulled the industry into a deepening crisis.
The U.S. recession may be easing, but the economy has not hit bottom yet and mounting unemployment looks likely to keep demand sluggish for a while. While the economy still appears on a downward path, the slope is not as steep as many had feared.
Japan slipped to the brink of deflation and inflation in Europe slid closer to zero, underlining a threat to the world economy before next week's G20 summit which is supposed to produce a cure for the crisis.
Japan slipped to the brink of deflation and inflation in Europe slid closer to zero, underlining a threat to the world economy before next week's G20 summit which is supposed to produce a cure for the crisis.
Top Federal Reserve officials hinted on Thursday that the long U.S. economic downturn could be in its final stages, although the early stages of recovery will likely be far from stellar.
New orders for long-lasting U.S.-made goods rose in February for the first time in seven months and new home sales rebounded, government data showed on Wednesday, suggesting the economic downturn might be easing a bit.
U.S. retail sales of Apple Inc's Mac computers fell 16 percent in February on a unit basis, even as low-cost netbooks helped Windows-based PCs sales rise 22 percent, research group NPD said on Monday.
U.S. retail sales of Apple Inc's Mac computers fell 16 percent in February on a unit basis, even as low-cost netbooks helped Windows-based PCs sales rise 22 percent, research group NPD said on Monday.
HONG KONG - Asian stocks rose on Friday, with Japan's Nikkei up 4 percent, helped by a smaller-than-expected decline in U.S. retail sales and hopes that the largest U.S. banks will survive without a government takeover.
China said it was ready to pump more money into its economy and saw a pick-up in trade, offering another glimmer of hope for the battered global economy as signs that big U.S. banks may be turning around lifted world stocks.
Asian stocks rose for a fourth day on Friday, with Japan's Nikkei up 4 percent, helped by a smaller-than-expected decline in U.S. retail sales and hopes that the largest U.S. banks will survive without a government takeover.
Oil rose more than 11 percent to top $46 a barrel on Thursday following better-than-expected U.S. February retail sales data and ahead of a weekend OPEC meeting.
Oil rose more than 10 percent to top $46 a barrel on Thursday, following better-than-expected U.S. February retail sales data and ahead of a weekend OPEC meeting.
Oil rose nearly 7 percent to top $45 a barrel on Thursday encouraged by U.S. February retail sales data and ahead of a weekend OPEC meeting.
U.S. stocks gained for a third day on Thursday on relief that S&P cut General Electric's ratings by just a single notch and signaled no further downgrades loomed, while data suggested some stabilization in consumer spending.
U.S. retail sales dipped only slightly in February, a hint spending could be stabilizing, but a record high number of workers drawing state jobless benefits indicated pressure was still mounting on consumers.
The number of U.S. workers drawing unemployment benefits hit a record in February as companies struggle with a 14-month recession, data showed on Thursday, but a slight easing in retail sales last month offered cautious optimism.
The number of U.S. workers drawing unemployment benefits hit a record in February as companies struggle with a 14-month recession, data showed on Thursday, but a slight easing in retail sales last month offered cautious optimism.
The number of U.S. workers drawing unemployment benefits hit a record in February as companies struggle with a 14-month recession, data showed on Thursday, but a slight easing in retail sales last month offered cautious optimism.
Sales at U.S. retailers fell by a smaller-than-expected margin in February after a surprise gain the prior month, as a rise in gasoline prices limited the impact of slumping vehicle sales, a government report showed on Thursday.
Asian shares outside Japan posted their best gains in a month on Tuesday while safe-haven flight to the dollar eased, but the moves were seen as only a momentary reprieve from a gloomy economic outlook.
