WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent over the summer as consumers spent more and state and local governments added to growth for the first time in three years. But the economy is likely ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. sales of new homes jumped last month to the highest level in more than two years, further evidence of a sustained housing recovery that could help lift the lackluster economy. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new ...

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WASHINGTON — Here’s a small consolation: The Great Recession wasn’t quite as horrendous as previously thought. But it was still pretty horrendous: Updated government estimates from January 2009 through December 2011 show that the downturn remains by far the worst ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans spent more on autos, furniture and clothing at the start of the crucial holiday shopping season, boosting retail sales for a sixth straight month. Retail sales rose 0.2 percent in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That’s ...

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WASHINGTON — The economy expanded at a meager 1.3 percent annual rate in the spring after scarcely growing at all in the first three months of the year, the Commerce Department said Friday. The combined growth for the first six months of the year ...

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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has issued an executive order setting up a government project to retain and attract business to the United States. The program will be run out of the Commerce Department but will involve departments ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans bought fewer cars in May, pulling retail sales down for the first time in nearly a year. Sales among U.S. retailers fell 0.2 percent last month, the Commerce Department said. It was the first decline after 10 straight increases ...

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Builders began work on more office buildings, hotels and factories in March, lifting construction spending after three straight monthly declines. The Commerce Department says construction spending rose ...

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans earned and spent more in March, but much of the extra money went to pay for gas. Personal incomes rose 0.5 percent last month and consumer spending increased 0.6 percent, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The economy slowed sharply in the first three months of the year as high gas prices cut into consumer spending, bad weather delayed construction projects and the federal government slashed defense spending by the most in six years.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — More Americans bought new homes in March, helping give the battered industry a small lift after the worst winter for sales in almost a half-century. New-home sales rose 11 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted rate of 300,000 homes ...

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WASHINGTON, D.C.— Consumers spending rose in February at the fastest pace in four months, but a big part of the increase went to cover higher gas prices. The Commerce Department said Monday that consumer spending jumped 0.7 percent in February.

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