China's Economy Is Surging 7% but Everyone Thinks That's Too Slow

Most countries would be thrilled to have such a robust economy. And if the U.S. economy were expanding at anywhere near that level -- its GDP grew just 2.4% last year -- the Federal Reserve would already be raising interest rates.

Fed's Williams: Interest rate hikes after liftoff should be gradual

(Reuters) - A top Federal Reserve policymaker said on Monday that the pace of interest-rate hikes after an initial liftoff should be gradual to preserve flexibility and to help a U.S. economy that still may need stimulus.

Gas under $3 in US for 1st time in 4 years

NEW YORK (AP) The sight is so surprising that Americans are sharing photos of it: The gas station sign, with a price of $2-something a gallon.

A Theory on Long-Term Economic Trends and a Sudden Crash

Employment losses during the Great Recession may have had more to do with factors like the rise of Walmart than with the recession itself, two economists say in a new academic paper.

Fed's Fisher, Plosser push for earlier rate hike

(Reuters) - Two top Federal Reserve officials known for their hawkish policy views said Friday they believed the U.S. economy was ready for interest rate hikes sooner than many expect, with one saying he thought rate hikes should start this year.

Economy needs consumers to chip in

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The U.S. economy is revved up and ready to go by most measures except for, perhaps, the most critical one: The consumer.

Americans still hesitant to spend more

Personal income rose 0.4% in May, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It may not sound like much, but it marked the fifth straight month in a row that incomes rose.

U.S. economy stumbles in first-quarter, but prospects brighter

(Reuters) - The U.S. economy contracted for the first time in three years in the first quarter as it buckled under a severe winter, but there are signs it has rebounded and economists say it could grow as much as 4 percent in the current quarter.

U.S. economic growth could top 3 percent in second quarter: Fed's Lockhart

(Reuters) - The U.S. economy could grow 3 percent or more in the second quarter of this year and the housing market is likely to pick up again after recent sluggishness, a U.S. Federal Reserve official said on Sunday.

Weak U.S. prices, not inflation, the threat now: Fed's Yellen

(Reuters) - Persistently low inflation poses a more immediate threat to the U.S. economy than rising prices, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said on Wednesday, stressing that the U.S. central bank would be delivering policy stimulus for some time to come.

US GDP grew 2.6% in Q4

Economic growth in the United States grew faster than previously estimated in the fourth quarter of last year helped by stronger consumer spending, the U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday.

Mexico economy hampered by U.S., weather in first quarter: Carstens

(Reuters) - Mexico's economic growth in the first quarter of the year is being affected by slower growth in the United States and by poor weather, Mexico Central Bank Governor Agustin Carstens said on Friday.

Economy slowly exits the Great Recession

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy is showing more strength than at any time since the Great Recession began six years ago. Employers are hiring.

IMF Plans to Raise Global Economic Growth Forecast, Lagarde Says

The International Monetary Fund will raise its forecast for world growth, Managing Director Christine Lagarde said, underscoring confidence in the global recovery as the outlook for the U.S. improves.

European Stocks Climb for Ninth Day on Earnings Optimism

European stocks rallied for a ninth day, their longest winning streak since June 2010, as companies from Novartis AG to Reckitt Benckiser (RB/) Group Plc raised forecasts and data showed U.S. unemployment rate fell to the lowest since November 2008.

U.S. economic growth stronger than thought

The U.S. economy grew significantly faster than thought in the second quarter, which may help convince the Federal Reserve to start unwinding its stimulus program sooner rather than later.

Barack Obama to focus on economy, guns, immigration

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will be looking across a vast partisan divide on Tuesday night as he reports to Congress and the nation, hoping he can bend recalcitrant lawmakers to join him in a second-term drive to boost taxes to raise government spending power and to reform laws on gun ownership and immigration.

'Fiscal cliff' already affecting US economy: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan

WASHINGTON: Fiscal brinkmanship in Washington is already affecting the U.S. economy as worried businesses invest less in equipment, Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said.

US jobless claims fall though storm distorts data

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, a sign the labor market's slow recovery was gaining traction although a severe storm distorted the data.

Finance leaders to address global economic threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — When global finance ministers meet this week in Tokyo, they'll confront a triple challenge: Economic troubles in three major regions are threatening the world's economy.