Consumer confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly climbed in August to the highest level in almost seven years, reinforcing signs of a strengthening outlook for the second half of 2014.

Orders for U.S. durable goods jumped in July by the most on record as bookings surged for commercial aircraft. Demand for business equipment eased after the biggest gain in seven months.

New-home sales in the U.S. fell unexpectedly in July for the second month as the housing recovery makes only fitful progress.

After CSX Corp. raised rates for shipping specialty gas by 41% over three years, Diversified CPC International Inc. had to shutter a production line near Chicago.

The most Americans in six years will travel by car over the Labor Day holiday weekend, and they’ll be paying the least for gasoline since 2010 as refineries produce ample amounts of the fuel, AAA predicts.

An index of U.S. leading indicators rose in July by the most in four months, as stronger job growth helps power the world’s largest economy.

Purchases of previously owned U.S. homes rose in July to a 10-month high as low borrowing costs and an increase in inventory drew buyers.

Fewer Americans than forecast applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign the U.S. job market is making progress as the world’s largest economy grows.

By adding money laundering to the charges against FedEx Corp., federal prosecutors are trying to force the package-shipping company to settle its drug-trafficking case, attorneys and analysts said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation moved forward on writing rules that may mandate automakers’ use of talking-car technology, saying more than a thousand lives a year might be saved on the nation’s roadways.