ECONOMY & MARKETS

Gas pump

US Consumer Confidence Down On Mixed, Polarized Readings

A preliminary survey of consumer confidence for April shows the lackluster job creation seen in March is playing into people's pessimism more than economists had expected. But a recent, tiny, decline in gasoline prices, following a dizzying climb at the beginning of the year, is at least making consumers feel better about inflation and hence, expectations for the future.

US Economic Recovery Done, New Bullish Cycle Ahead: Analyst

The U.S. economy is entering a new cycle of domestic consumption led-growth, according to Michael Shaoul of Marketfield Asset Management
The U.S. economic recovery is done, and the economy has begun a cycle domestic consumption-led growth that will differ significantly from the prior cycle that ended in 2008, said Michael Shaoul, chairman of Marketfield Asset Management, a New York investment advisor.
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New research shows that runaway growth in the financial sector is detrimental to the real economy, as highly skilled workers gravitate toward finance and industries dependent on outside investment suffer. (Reuters)

Investors Pump Money Into Stocks Hoping For A 'Goldilocks' Moment: Daily Markets Wrap

Risky assets rose on moderate volume and moderately bad news Thursday, as investors seemed to be placing a paradoxical bet that a slowdown in economic growth would jolt the U.S. central bank into action -- inflating the prices of stocks, commodities and other assets -- while at the same time assuming the slowdown would not be so harsh as to throw the current recovery completely off track.
WTO trade map

WTO Warns Global Trade Will Shrink Again In 2012

Trade growth is expected to slow for a second year in 2012 amid severe downside risks that could push it even further below the 20-year average of 5.4 percent, the Geneva-based body forecast Thursday.
Mortgage rates fell in mid-April.

Mortgage Rates Fall On Poor Job Growth: Bankrate.com Report

Mortgage rates fell this week over disappointing March job growth numbers, uncertainty about the ongoing debt crisis in Europe, and slower projected growth in corporate earnings, Bankrate.com reported Thursday in its weekly national survey.
New research shows that runaway growth in the financial sector is detrimental to the real economy, as highly skilled workers gravitate toward finance and industries dependent on outside investment suffer. (Reuters)

US Producer Prices Unchanged In March; Core Up 0.3%

The producer price index remained unchanged in March, as an unexpected drop in fuel prices offset increases in food and core prices, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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US Trade Deficit Plunged To $46 Billion In February

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in February as exports hit a record high, imports from China and other key suppliers declined and oil import volume fell to the lowest in 15 years, a government report showed on Thursday.
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Fed's Dudley: Too Soon To Say US Economy Out Of Danger

The disappointing performance of the U.S. labor market in March shows it is too early to conclude the economy is out of the woods, despite months of encouraging economic data, New York Federal Reserve Bank president William Dudley said on Thursday.
A woman opens a glass door with a "Now Hiring" sign on it as she enters a Staples store in New York

Jobless Claims Jump To 380,000, Higher Than Forecast

Claims for jobless benefits rose to 380,000 last week, giving economists another piece of data to worry about after a gloomy job market showing in March. Meanwhile, a Federal Reserve report published Wednesday painted a picture of a recovery that continues to press ahead, however, modestly, amid concerns of higher fuel prices.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts

US Reclaims Top Rank From China In Clean Energy Investments

The US reclaimed the top position as the biggest investor in clean energy last year, with clean energy finance and investment witnessing a growth $48 billion, a 42 percent increase over 2010, according to a global rank list published in a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.
trading floor

Stocks Recoup Losses: Daily Markets Wrap

Stocks popped Wednesday on both sides of the Atlantic, one day after their worst loss of the year, on easing euro zone worries and hopes for a better-than-expected earnings season.
Mortgage rates have bounced off at 26-year historic low in the week of Feb. 22, 2012.

U.S. Mortgage Applications Drop 2.4%: MBA

U.S. mortgage applications dropped 2.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in the week ended April 6, compared to the prior week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday.
adelson

Adelson Eyes $35B Spanish Las Vegas

Billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson announced on Wednesday plans to open a casino strip in Spain, pushing for a $35 billion casino complex in either Barcelona or Madrid.

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