Government, Business, Safety

Transportation Crippled as Flooding, Tornadoes Ravage Texas, Oklahoma

More than 10 inches of rain flooded Houston the morning of May 26, closing freeways and prompting the suspension of all public transit. See photos.

May 26, 2015
Business

New Home Purchases Exceed Expectations in April

Purchases of new homes in the United States rose more than projected in April, a sign this part of the market is picking up steam during the busiest selling period of the year.

May 26, 2015
Business

Durable Goods Orders Dip in April

Durable goods orders in the United States fell 0.5% in April, while orders for capital equipment showed gains for a second straight month, a sign U.S. business investment could pick up in the second half of the year.

May 26, 2015
Business

Jobless Claims Fall to 15-Year Low

The average number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits over the past four weeks dropped to a 15-year low, a sign the labor market continues to strengthen.

May 21, 2015
Business, Autonomous

Driverless Vehicles May Cut US Auto Sales by 40%, Analyst Says

U.S. auto sales may drop about 40% in the next 25 years because of shared driverless cars, forcing mass-market producers such as General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. to slash output, a Barclays analyst said.

May 20, 2015
Business

E-Commerce Increases 3.5%

Sales on e-commerce websites increased 3.5% in the first three months of the year from the previous quarter, reaching a record $80 billion worth of purchases, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Commerce Department on May 15.

May 20, 2015
Business

Housing Starts Jump to Seven-Year High, Permits Rise

New residential construction in the United States surged in April to the highest level in more than seven years, indicating the industry regained its footing after the soft patch at the beginning of the year.

May 19, 2015
Business

Lower Fuel Prices Expected to Push Memorial Day Travel to 10-Year High

U.S. travel over the May 25 Memorial Day weekend is poised to reach a 10-year high as Americans with more money in their pockets are lured onto the roads by lower prices at the pump.

May 15, 2015
Business

Consumer Sentiment Plunges by Most in Two Years

Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in May by the most in more than two years as Americans’ views on the economy dimmed.

May 15, 2015
Business

Factory Output Stalls in April on Machinery Cutbacks

Factory production stalled in April, as American manufacturers were dealt blows by a strong dollar and cheap oil.

May 15, 2015