August 2011 Headlines

Double Bottom Line: Value of Investing in Community

Businessmen like Jay Graves are not just making sure their bottom line is in check. They're also focused on the "double bottom line," and it's really paying off.

Report Details Billions Wasted in War Zones

As much as $60 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds have gone to waste in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade.

Consumer Confidence Makes Sharp Decline

Fewer Americans believe the economy will turn around in the near future, according to the Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

Texas Drought, High Demand = High Food Prices?

The drought that has plagued Texas and the southern plain states could soon affect the rest of the country in the grocery store aisle.

Rise in Consumer Spending Hints Economic Rebound

The Commerce Department announced Monday that consumer spending grew 0.8 percent in July -- news that will likely help ease fears of another recession.

Gold Bars Selling 'Like Hot Cakes' in China

The high price of gold isn't stopping people in China from buying more of the precious metal.

Global Stocks Fall after Fed Signals No New Support

European and U.S. stocks fell on Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered no new steps to stimulate the country's economy.

Despite Low Rates, Housing Remains Weak

Low interest rates haven't been enough to revive the weak housing industry with unemployment still high and fears of another recession.

Unemployment Aid Requests Rise by 5K

The increase puts the number of jobless aid applications at a seasonally adjusted 417,000, the highest level in five weeks.

Cook Takes Apple's Reins, Jobs Resigns

Tim Cook has been tapped to become chief executive officer of Apple Inc. after company co-founder Steve Jobs stepped down as head of the tech giant.

CBO Projects Deficit at $1.3 Trillion

The federal government says the U.S. will have another huge budget deficit this year.

Americans Sour on Economy, Obama's Role

A new poll shows that Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the economy and are losing confidence in President Obama's ability to handle economic problems.

New Home Sales on Track for Worst Year Yet

New home sales fell for the third straight month in July, another sign that the housing industry remains weak and is hurting the economy

Higher Prices Hit Back-to-School Shoppers

Summer vacation is coming to an end for most kids, and to parents that means it's time for back to school shopping.

Price of Gold Exceeds $1,900, Then Retreats

A growing number of analysts are worried that the price of yellow metal has risen too high, too fast, and they expect a correction.

Economists: No Recession, Weakness to Remain

Economists say high unemployment and weak consumer spending will hold back the American economy into 2012.

Thieves Taking More Risks as Gold Price Rises

The recent talk of rising gold price has more people investing in the precious metal, but has also resulted in more gold thefts across the country.

Soc. Sec. Disability Fund on Brink of Insolvency

The disability fund has been in the red for years, and new congressional estimates say it will run out of money by 2017

Experts Prefer Cuts to Reduce Deficit

In a recent survey of 250 members of the National Assocation for Business Economists, 56 percent said Washington should cut spending and reign in the cost of Medicare and Medicaid.

Economists: Time to Return to the Gold Standard

The dollar, by some estimates, has lost about 80 percent of its purchasing  since 1970. Now some believe the time has come to return to gold standard.

Bank of America Could Axe More Than 10K Jobs

The bank is working on an expansive restructuring plan, called "Project New BAC," that could ultimately result in the loss of more than 10,000 positions.

Talk of Double-Dip Recession Grows Louder

Nearly 408,000 people applied for unemployment benefits last week, up 9,000 from the week before. It's just one more sign of weakness in the economy.

Stocks Tumble Again Over Economic Fears

U.S. stocks fell at the opening of trading Thursday on more signs of economic weakness around the world.

Obama: Housing Market Rebound Year or More Away

President Obama predicted it will be another year or more before the housing industry begins to rise again.

DOJ Investigating S&P Rated Mortgage Securities

The federal government is investigating the agency that recently downgraded America's credit rating.

Gold Prices Climb on Global Economic Worries

The debt concerns in Europe have pushed the price of gold even higher.

Sarkozy, Merkel Call for 'True' European Gov't

Germany's Merkel and France's Sarkozy want new balanced budget laws in all the eurozone countries as well as a new economic government made up of the heads of those nations.

Economic Bright Spots in US, Europe Still Rattled

Lower gasoline prices and more consumers paying off their credit card debt appear to be the bright spots in the U.S. economy.

Economists Predict More Wild Rides on Wall Street

The spotlight once again shined on Wall Street Monday after the wild swings of more than 400 points for four straight days last week.

Global Stocks Advance After Wild Trading Week

The Dow's flip-floping this week may sound eerily reminiscent of 2008, but experts say there's a big difference.

Jobless Aid Applications Drop to 4-Month Low

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week below 400,000 for the first time in four months, a sign that the job market is improving.

Global Stocks Drop Day After Fed's Rate Pledge

Global stocks dropped after opening trading Wednesday on worries about a weakening U.S. economy and the financial health of European banks

Clark Howard: Money Saving Tips for Hard Times

It's not about the money you earn, it's about the money you save.  That's the philosophy of Clark Howard, author of 'Living Large in Lean Times.'

U.S. Stocks Rise after Worst Drop Since '08

Despite the Dow's rise, economists are still concerned the world may soon fall into a recession.

Markets React to S&P Downgrade of U.S. Credit

The Dow Jones industrial average was briefly down 600 points Monday, closing below the 11,000 mark for the first time since November.

Spooked by Downgrade, Dow Joins Global Sell-Off

The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 250 points Monday, joining a global sell-off triggered by news of America's first-ever credit rating downgrade.

Spain, Italy Markets React Well to ECP Pledge

The European Central Bank announced late Sunday that it will take steps in the bond markets to help stabilize the economies of Italy and Spain.

Geithner Says He will Stay at Treasury

Timothy Geithner has told President Barack Obama that he will remain on the job as Treasury secretary, ending speculation he would leave the administration.

‘Car Sharing’ Picks Up Speed in Poor Economy

Imagine no monthly car payments, no car insurance, no repair bills and no need to fill up at the gas station. Those are just some of the ideas behind car sharing.

After S&P Downgrade, WH Says 'We Must Do Better'

After the first-ever downgrade of the U.S. government's credit rating, the White House said on Saturday that President Barack Obama believes it's clear Washington "must do better" in tackling the deficit.

Market Analysts: 'Don't Give in to Fear and Worry'

There's a glimmer of hope for the struggling U.S. Economy. According to a new federal jobs report, the unemployment rate has gone down slightly.

Investors Still Jittery Despite Jobs Report

After a brief upward turn, stocks took a tumble again Friday despite a jobs report by the Labor Department showing hiring had improved.

Dow Falls 512 in Steepest Decline Since '08 Crisis

Gripped by fear of another recession, the financial markets suffered their worst day Thursday since the crisis of 2008.

A Good Sign: Unemployment Applications Declining

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits is down to its lowest level in four months.

Expert: Europe 'Train Wreck' on Brink of Collapse

A growing number of investors and analysts are worried that the debt crisis in Europe could hurt the global economy.

U.S. Debt Bill Grows Larger Than Economy

Nervous investors are keeping an eye on Wall Street Thursday. They are particularly worried about the recovery of the world's largest economy.

Dow Plunges as Investors Weigh Sluggish Economy

The Dow plunged more than 300 points and erased its gains for the year as investors grew more concerned about economic weakness.

U.S. Economy Headed for Double-Dip Recession?

Concerns about the economy sent the stock markets tumbling sharply lower Tuesday as the Dow lost 242 points, dropping to close below the 12,000 mark.

Spain, Italy Debt Problems Deepen

Investors are getting more and more worried that Spain and Italy will not be able to make all the payments on their huge debts.

HSBC, Merck Announce Massive Job Cuts

Europe's biggest bank, HSBC, announced Monday it will cut as many as 30,000 jobs worldwide by 2013.