Business | MyFOX Spokane

Retailers' gains in October could hurt holidays

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Americans spent briskly in October before Superstorm Sandy hit the Northeast on the tail-end of the month. But the question is whether they're still willing to buy an iPhone for Christmas if they plunked down hundreds on a generator

US manufacturing expands at faster pace in October

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. manufacturing expanded for the second straight month in October, boosted by growth in new orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management said Thursday that its index of factory activity rose last month to 51.7, up

US builders boost September spending 0.6 percent

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. builders spent more on home construction in September, a gain that helped offset weakness in nonresidential building and government projects. Construction spending grew 0.6 percent compared to August when spending had fallen 0.1

Survey of consumer confidence rose in October to highest level since February 2008

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

WASHINGTON (AP) - Survey of consumer confidence rose in October to highest level since February 2008. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

US consumer confidence at highest since Feb. 2008

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By MARCY GORDONAP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans' confidence in the economy surged last month to the highest level in nearly five years, as many were encouraged by an improving job market. The Conference Board said Thursday that its consumer confidence index increased in

US stocks rise on strong economic data

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By DANIEL WAGNERAP Business Writer It's only been a day, but November on Wall Street is already looking a lot better than October. Strong economic data and corporate news converged Thursday to give U.S. stocks their best day since mid-September. Positive signs about the job market and

Ford's Mark Fields promoted, could become CEO

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By DEE-ANN DURBIN and TOM KRISHERAP Auto Writers DETROIT (AP) - Ford's leaders have watched Mark Fields, a brash Harvard MBA, turn the company's North American business into a profit machine. Now they're eyeing him for CEO. Fields, 51, was named chief operating officer Thursday, a

Stock market gets a boost from good jobs news

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By The Associated Press Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street after a pair of encouraging reports on employment. Payroll provider ADP said Thursday that U.S. businesses added 158,000 jobs in October, and the Labor Department reported that applications for unemployment benefits dropped 9,000

News Summary: Productivity grew 1.9 pct. in Q3

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By The Associated Press PRODUCTIVITY GROWS: U.S. worker productivity grew at a modest annual rate of 1.9 percent in the July-September quarter, matching the pace of the previous quarter. LABOR COSTS FALL: Labor costs fell 0.1 percent in the third quarter. The decline suggests wages are barely

Court cuts prison term of Khodorkovsky's partner

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 1st

By MAX SEDDONAssociated Press MOSCOW (AP) - A Russian court has reduced the 13-year prison sentence of jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky's business partner by three years. Platon Lebedev is now set to be released in July 2013, 10 years after he and Khodorkovsky were arrested. They were