Business

New York -- The Commerce Department said the U.S. economy surged 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter in a preliminary estimate that soundly beat expectations.

New York -- Crude oil prices opened higher Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, topping $74 per barrel, despite continued losses in Asian equity markets.

Washington -- The U.S. economy climbed for the second consecutive quarter to close out 2009, jumping a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.7 percent, the government said.

Ottawa -- Canada's gross domestic product increased for a third consecutive month in November, up 0.4 percent from October, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

Chicago-- Grain futures rose on the Chicago Board of Trade Thursday despite a 0.38 percent rise in the dollar index, which measures the dollar against major currencies.

New York -- U.S. markets slid early Thursday after the departments of Labor and Commerce released data that pointed to a sluggish recovery.

Washington -- U.S. durable goods orders rose slightly in December, rising 0.3 percent after two consecutive months of declines, the Commerce Department reported.

New York -- Crude oil prices dropped overnight on the New York Mercantile Exchange, falling under $74 per barrel after a week-long shake-up in equity markets.

Washington -- Grain futures were lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Wednesday as the dollar rose against the euro and the yen and equity markets made modest gains.

Washington -- The volume of applications for U.S. mortgages dropped 10.9 percent in a week on a seasonally adjusted basis, an industry group said Wednesday.