Topic: Robert Brusca

Economy adds 120,000 jobs. Why the dip from bigger gains in early 2012? (+video)

The unemployment rate fell from 8.3 percent to 8.2 percent in March. Economists had been expecting higher numbers of new jobs.

Unemployment rate: How low can it go by Election Day? Under 8 percent?

Though the unemployment rate dipped to 8.5 percent last month, it remains uncomfortably high for a president seeking reelection. Economists crunch the numbers to see if it's possible for unemployment to dip to 8 percent by Election Day.

Central banks ease liquidity. Did they avert meltdown?

Central banks in a surprise announcement Wednesday announce moves to ease strains in the global financial system. Central banks' moves should ease concerns over European banks but does not begin to solve long-term problems of European debt.

So far, Black Friday seems to be bustling. Is the economy improving?

Black Friday weekend may give economists a snapshot of how shoppers are feeling going into the holiday season. Even though some consumer numbers are sluggish, Americans may spend when they hit the malls.

A long, steep drop for Americans' standard of living

Not since at least 1960 has the US standard of living fallen so fast for so long. The average American has $1,315 less in annual disposable income now than at the onset of the Great Recession.

US reports a drop in jobless claims. Is this the beginning of something?

Weekly unemployment claims dropped below 400,000 in the most recent report. While some see this as a signal that the economy is firming up, others caution that more positive indicators are needed.

Gold prices off their highs. Time to jump in?

Gold prices tumbled 6 percent after hitting a new record in late April. Investors who sense trouble ahead expect gold prices to surge higher. But other precious metals are poised to rise if the recovery strengthens.

$1,506 an ounce: What's behind the rush on gold?

The price of gold has soared almost 32 percent in a year, making it the best of investments. The rise has been fueled by rock-bottom interest rates and inflation fears. Can the good times last?

Food costs soaring in US after harsh winter. Will higher prices last?

Higher wholesale food prices contributed to a jump in the producer price index in February, the US reported Wednesday. Consumers are likely to see food prices rise at least 4 percent in 2011.

Inflation rate: why prices are rising on everything from cornflakes to socks

The Consumer Price Index, a measure of the inflation rate, rose 0.4 percent in December and January. This is the first time the CPI has increased this much for two straight months since 2008.

Unemployment rate dives, but few new jobs created. How can that be?

Unemployment rate dropped from 9.4% to 9.0% last month, according new Labor Department statistics. But only 36,000 new jobs were created. Where did the rest of the unemployed go?

Can economy's 2010 growth spurt last? Five clues.

The US economy grew at a relatively healthy 3.2 percent annual rate in the final quarter of 2010, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That is an improvement from a 2.6 percent rate in the third quarter.

But to many Americans, it's hard to tell if anything is really better. Buried in the new report are clues to why that is – and what might happen to the economy in the year ahead. Here are five things that the government’s preliminary report on gross domestic product reveals about the health of the economy.

Unemployment rate drops to 9.4 percent, but little cheer in jobless report

The unemployment rate is at its lowest level since May 2009, but this partially reflects some people giving up on job searches.

Stock market going up. Sign of better times ahead?

Since March 2009, the Standard & Poor's average has rebounded 76 percent, and the stock market could be getting ready for more gains in the months ahead.

Jobs numbers for May squelch some economic optimism

Private sector businesses added just 41,000 new jobs in May, leading Republicans to criticize Obama's economic plan. But analysts see a few bright spots.

Wall Street crashes amid market 'temper tantrum over Europe'

Wall Street investor sentiment over European debt problems and an unexpected spike in unemployment claims drove the market downward.

Is what Goldman Sachs did nothing but gambling?

Lawmakers at the Goldman Sachs hearing repeatedly compared the activities of investment banks to gambling. But that's not how Goldman officials view it. Here's how both sides argue the issue.

Goldman Sachs under fire: Is Wall Street cheering or cowering?

On Wall Street, Goldman Sachs is admired to a certain extent for its ability to generate profits. But the firm is also resented for a certain swagger.

In surprise move, the Federal Reserve raises a key discount rate

Stocks in Europe and Asia fell overnight after the Federal Reserve moved to raise its 'discount rate' by a quarter point.

Dow closes below 10000 for first time in three months

Concerns about the ability of Greece, Spain, and Portugal to pay their debts caused the Dow Jones Industrial average to drop more than 100 points, closing below 10000 for the first time since early November.

Job cuts totaled 85,000 last month, dashing expectations

US businesses made job cuts in December, when many had expected Friday’s employment report to find a gain in jobs. The unemployment rate remained at 10 percent.

Obama jobs summit: real help for unemployed, or PR move?

President Obama will host a jobs summit in December to consider strategies for shrinking ranks of the unemployed. What are some options?

Recession over? Five signs Bernanke may be right

A number of positive trends support the Federal Reserve chief's statement that the recession has "very likely" ended.

A year after Lehman collapse, signs US recovery has begun

President Obama delivers a major economic speech Monday to assess progress in the year since Lehman Brothers' collapse ignited a financial crisis.

Stocks rally on Fed's word that the economy is leveling off

Though problems remain for housing and jobs, the Fed's Open Market Committee sees further improvement in financial markets in recent weeks.