INFLATION

Ground-breaking on new U.S. family homes rose for a fifth month in a row and producer prices tumbled, keeping hopes for economic recovery alive.

Ground breaking for new U.S. homes fell in July, but a fifth straight monthly rise in single-family home construction kept hopes alive the economy was poised to recover from recession.

U.S. producer prices fell by a larger-than expected amount in July and notched a record decline compared with a year earlier as gasoline prices plummeted, government data on Tuesday showed.

Japan's economy returned to growth in the second quarter, pulling out of its longest recession since World War Two, but analysts warned of a rocky road ahead as the nascent recovery was based on short-term stimulus efforts around the world.

Gold slipped to its lowest since late July in Europe on Monday as the dollar firmed against a basket of currencies and as a 2 percent decline in crude prices dented the precious metal's appeal as an inflation hedge.

U.S. stocks could extend last week's retreat after a four-week advance as the earnings season winds down and investors search for signs that consumer spending will help sustain an economic recovery.

U.S. consumers' gloom deepened in early August as worry about scarce jobs and falling income overshadowed positive news that industrial output in July grew for the first time in nine months.

U.S. industrial output gained for the first time in nine months in July and inflation remained muted, but consumer confidence was unexpectedly weak this month, according to reports on Friday.

The yen extended gains against the euro and the U.S. dollar after a report showed U.S. consumer prices were flat in July over June but fell over the past 12 months by the most since 1950.

Wall Street was poised for a flat open on Friday after government data on consumer prices suggested U.S. inflation will remain mild, even with evidence of a stabilizing economy.

U.S. consumer prices were flat in July versus June, but fell over the past 12 months by the most since 1950, according to government data that suggested benign inflation pressure even amid signs the recession may be winding down.

U.S. consumer prices were flat in July versus June as expected, but fell over the past 12 months by the most since 1950, government data showed on Friday.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Friday as investors await inflation and consumer sentiment data for more solid signs of an economic recovery.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Friday ahead of key data on inflation and consumer sentiment and quarterly results from major retailer JC Penney .

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Friday ahead of key data on inflation and consumer sentiment and quarterly results from major retailer JC Penney .

The Federal Reserve is expected to end its buying program of long-term government securities at a meeting that concludes on Wednesday, but keep U.S. interest rates steady at near zero amid signs the economy is stabilizing from a deep recession.

Uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's view on the U.S. economy and another sharp fall in Chinese stocks pushed equities lower across the world on Wednesday and drove lower-yielding currencies higher.

The Federal Reserve is expected to give a nod to signs the U.S. recession is waning but will likely warn that the recovery will be slow and dampen any expectations it will soon start to raise interest rates.

Despite a relatively upbeat NAB survey on business conditions the Aussie dollar retreated from its intraday highs at 0.8380 in Asia yesterday dropping to a low of 0.8320 with the market questioning the sustainability of the recent rally in equities.

U.S. output per worker rose at its fastest pace in six years during the second quarter as businesses wrung more productivity from fewer staff in a sign that a recovery from recession will be slow and unlikely to create a surge in hiring.

U.S. output per worker rose at its fastest pace in six years during the second quarter as businesses wrung more from shrinking staff in a sign that recovery from recession will be slow and unlikely to create a surge in hiring.