UNEMPLOYMENT

Latest data on new claims for unemployment sent mixed signals to the market, showing that while the week ended Nov. 19 was the third straight week for initial claims to hold below 400,000, a mark that most economists believe is essential for the economy to add more jobs than it is shedding, application for jobless insurance increased 2,000 to 393,000.

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims rose last week and consumer spending barely increased in October, according to data on Wednesday which could prompt economists to tamp down on expectations for solid growth in the current quarter.

Stocks fell about 1 percent on Wednesday, putting the S&P 500 on track for a sixth straight losing session as the euro zone crisis and weak Chinese data weighed on sentiment.

Retailers face the official beginning of holiday shopping season on Black Friday, which falls on Nov.25, a day after Thanksgiving.

New claims for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week but held below 400,000 for the third straight week, suggesting the labor market was gaining traction.

New claims for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week but held below 400,000 for the third straight week, suggesting the labor market was gaining traction.

The Federal Reserve plans to stress test six large U.S. banks against a hypothetical market shock, including a deterioration of the European debt crisis, as part of an annual review of bank health.

The failure of the U.S. Congressional Super Committee to reach a deal on reducing the budget deficit by $1.2 trillion over 10 years implies that uncertainty over defense spending is set to continue in to 2012.

Republicans faced off in a national security-themed debate at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. and broadcast on CNN. The gathering did little to change the dynamic of a race that has seen a carousel of candidates tested as a possible better-option to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Chinese factories battled with their weakest activity in 32 months in November, a preliminary purchasing managers' survey showed, reviving worries that China may be skidding toward an economic hard landing and compounding global recession fears.

Ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday it was concerned about South Africa's deficit reduction plans given that economic growth is likely to slow next year.

The super committee's failure will not lead to another downgrade in the United State's credit rating, but it does leave Congress with a budgetary mess on its hand in the coming months.

U.S. retailers trying to woo shoppers with early deals and longer hours this week, and throughout the holiday season, could be putting their profits at risk as shoppers search for bargains and not much else.

A University of California chancellor apologized to jeering students on Monday for police use of pepper spray against campus protesters in a standoff captured by video and widely replayed on television and the Internet.

May no soldier go unloved is the slogan used by the non-profit, volunteer-led organization Soldiers Angels that has been assisting families of veterans and veterans deployed, wounded and moving back into society. These volunteers are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of soldiers, as well as regular Americans who know the sacrifices our military makes to keep all of us safe.

Finance officials bit their nails and nervously watched the clock. There were 30 minutes left in a bond auction aimed at funding the deficit and there was not a single bid.

U.S. stocks dropped about 2 percent on Monday, putting the S&P on track for its fourth straight day of losses as concerns about heavy debt loads both domestically and abroad added uncertainty to a troubled market.

The PP won 44.6 percent of the popular vote, versus only 28.7 percent for the Socialists.

When some bankers arrived late for work at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch's Asia headquarters in Hong Kong earlier this year, they found a Post-It note on their computer screens.

When some bankers arrived late for work at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch's Asia headquarters in Hong Kong earlier this year, they found a Post-It note on their computer screens.

Finance officials bit their nails and nervously watched the clock. There were 30 minutes left in a bond auction aimed at funding the deficit and there was not a single bid.