All Economy
US unemployment claims move upAlthough they both remained below 400,000, the number of Americans making both initial and continued unemployment claims rose from last week. In total, there are 1.51 million Americans receiving federal "extended" unemployment benefits.
Spruce up your old smartphone, get your next one for freeWith so many consumers looking to buy cheap smartphones, you might be able to sell off your old model to get a newer one for cheap. Carlozo advises readers on how to maximize the value of their old phones before heading out to sell.
CBS, Time Warner head into Week 2 of standoffCBS, Time Warner blackout: It's not just about profit. The dispute could drive consumers to new options that risk changing the face of television.
Stocks end slump on surge in miningStocks rose Thursday, ending a three-day slump, after news that China's trade rebounded last month signaled the end of a six-month slowdown for the world's biggest buyer of raw materials. The report helped lift Newmont Mining, Freeport-McMoRan and other stocks in the materials industry.
Bank of England adopts unemployment targetThe Bank of England has practically abandoned its target of moving inflation down to 2 percent, saying it won't consider raising interest rates until unemployment falls below 7 percent, Karlsson writes. The move isn't likely to change much policy, but it is an explicit reminder that inflation rates have been above 3 percent since 2005.
Kahr Firearms flees from New York gun lawsKahr Firearms, a gun manufacturer, says its moving its corporate offices to Pennsylvania in the wake of New York's new gun-restriction laws. Kahr Firearms is owned by son of Unification Church founder.
J.C. Penney intensifies new CEO search, sources sayJ.C. Penney is fast tracking its CEO search in order to placate one of its biggest investors and stabilize the struggling department stores' quickly falling stock price. J.C. Penney stock jumped 8 percent on the news.
Mortgage rates move up, settle downMortgage rates seem to be settling down after remarks from Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke triggered explosive rate increases. The average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage moved up from last week.
If Obama eliminates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, will mortgage rates go up?President Obama wants to reduce the government's role in the mortgage giant by phasing out mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The idea has broad support, but interest rates on home loans would go up, especially for low-income families.
Forget calling an expert. Calibrate your TV for under $4.Calibrating your TV can take just a few minutes and will get your screen showing the best picture quality possible. The best part: You can do it yourself for less than $5. Slaybaugh shows you how.
State and local government deficits soar. Are others following Detroit's footsteps?The "net savings" of state and local governments fell from a deficit of $129 billion to a deficit of $252.7 billion in the latest figures released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The BEA's revised methodology is more accurate than others' in showing how much state and local governments owe, and it suggests that cities and states are underestimating their pension obligations, Gordon says.
Entertainment for cheap: 7 boardgames to try out at homeTired of spending money to go out? Entertain your friends and family at home with these seven, inexpensive boardgames, Hamm says.
How Time Warner's revenue uptick is fueled by ads and moviesTime Warner expects higher than predicted earnings for 2013 and has delayed the separation of its magazine division. This delay will give the new spinoff time to refine its strategy, said Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes.
Newspapers for sale: Are new billionaire owners good for the business?Jeffrey Bezos, buyer of the Washington Post, and John Henry, who snapped up The Boston Globe, belong to a new, 'unfettered' class of newspaper owners. It helps that they're billionaires, analysts say.
Stocks fall on weak earnings newsStocks were down on Wall Street Wednesday as disappointing earning news and a drop in bank stocks weighed on the market. Banks had some of the biggest losses following news that the government filed lawsuits accusing Bank of America of misleading investors.
Powerball jackpot swells to $425M. What's better: cash upfront or yearly payments?Powerball lottery jackpot has grown to a nearly record-breaking $425 million. Should the Powerball lottery winner claim all of that money upfront, or would it be wiser to get annualized payments? Financial experts weigh in.
DOD furloughs shortened from 11 to six daysDOD furloughs that civilian employees have had to bear because of budgetary pressures were shortened by the Pentagon from 11 to six days. As a result, the final DOD furlough day for most workers will be next week.
Progress report: Tax reform 2013It's not pretty. To offset the cost of tax reform, Congress may have to eliminate trillions of dollars in tax preferences for individuals and businesses. Gleckman walks readers through who's saying what on the topic right now.
Passive income: What is it, how to get it.Wouldn't it be great to get money on a regular basis while spending very little effort to maintain that stream? That's the magic of passive income, Hamm says. He walks readers through how they can establish a passive income stream.
What is a 529 plan? A good way to save for college.The 529 plan comes in two flavors, allowing parents to save for college while lowering the student debt their children will take on. Deciding which 529 plan to use depends on whether your child has picked out a particular school.
