UNEMPLOYMENT

The times and trends are always changing, and some benefit consumers while others do not. But the shopping Web site dealnews did a good job in recent days noting things that will be less expensive and more expensive in 2012. Among the items that will get cheaper in 2012, according to dealnews, is wine and homes.

U.S. employment grew solidly last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, offering the strongest evidence yet of an acceleration in economic activity.

The latest government report shows that robust hiring activity in December -- better than expected -- pushed unemployment to its lowest level in three years. The Labor Department said December unemployment was 8.5 percent in America, and level we haven't seen since February 2009.

On signs that the U.S. economy is back on track and tensions with Iran may lead to further disturbance in exports in the Middle East countries, crude oil futures headed for a weekly gain in New York. Futures of West Texas Intermediate have surged 3.4 percent this week.

Employment grew solidly last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, offering the strongest evidence yet of an acceleration in economic activity.

Hiring in the U.S. accelerated in December for a second month and jobless rate fell again to the lowest point in almost three years. Revised data show that hiring in October grew faster than initially reported, while hiring in November was revised down. All signs indicate a strengthening labor market heading into 2012.

Employment grew solidly last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, offering the strongest evidence yet of an acceleration in economic activity.

The euro zone's economy deepened its downturn at the end of 2011 as retail sales fell and sentiment soured, but the first improvement in the business climate in 10 months offered hope that an expected recession may be mild.

The Eurozone's economy deepened its downturn at the end of 2011 as retail sales fell and sentiment soured, but the first improvement in the business climate in 10 months offered hope that an expected recession may be mild.

U.S. employment likely grew solidly last month, but the jobless rate probably rose from a 2-1/2 year low as improving conditions lured some Americans who had given up looking for work back into the labor market.

As Wall Street anxiously awaits the Labor Department's monthly employment report due on Friday, a decent bet has emerged. Odds are, the government will say it underestimated recent job gains.

As Wall Street anxiously awaits the Labor Department's monthly employment report due on Friday, a decent bet has emerged. Odds are, the government will say it underestimated recent job gains.

A Thursday report based on payrolls showed that the U.S. private sector added more jobs than forecast in December, a very bullish sign that added to the hope of a strong official Labor Department report on Friday. Bond prices briefly turned down on the news. Yields on 10-year notes declined 2 basis points to 1.96 percent, after touching 2.03 percent following the data.

The number of planned job cuts at U.S. firms declined in December to the lowest level since June, but up from the same time a year ago, a report on Thursday showed.

PepsiCo's reported plans to lay off about 4,000 employees, if confirmed, would be only the latest in a round of mass layoffs large American manufacturers have announced or put into effect just 5 days into the new year.

At a campaign stop in Sioux City, Iowa, on Sunday, Santorum said of entitlement programs, I don't want to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits resumed its downward trend last week after an uptick in the week ended Dec. 24. The figure remained below a key threshold for gauging the job market, a sign that the labor market is gaining strength.

Private-sector hiring surged in December as employers added 325,000 new workers while claims for jobless benefits fell, raising hope that recent labor market improvement would continue in 2012.

Iowa and New Hampshire, which have been flocked by GOP candidates who insist the federal government is wasteful with its spending, have both benefited enormously from federal programs.

New claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 last week in the latest sign the labor market was improving and could help the country resist the effects of a likely euro zone recession.

New claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 last week in the latest sign the labor market was improving and could help the country resist the effects of a likely Eurozone recession.