Economy

Number of people getting unemployment benefits touches two year lowest

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits has fallen unpredictably in the last week, according to a government report released on Thursday. The number fell even below a key level which indicates the creation of more jobs in times to come.

Stock markets plunge as crude prices soar

Crude oil futures continue to soar in the United States and havetouched the two year high of $100 per barrel. Its impact was visible on the stock markets, as the the share prices fell in the European as well as the U.S. markets.

OPEC to boost production in case of oil shortage

The Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi said that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) can increase its supplies to meet any shortage caused by the recent turmoil in oil producing countries of the Middle East.

Libya unrest hits oil trade

Experts from around the world are keeping an eye on rising prices of crude oil as the situation worsens in Libya, the Africa's fourth largest oil producer with production of 1.8 million barrels per day.

G20 reach consensus on economic imbalances

The finance ministers and central bank governors of G20 countries succeeded in overcoming the opposition of China to setting up of a global early warning system which can detect economic crisis threatening to hamper the growth of world economy.

Japan's economy contracts as China surges ahead

Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.3 percent in the last quarter of 2010. At an annualized rate, the economy shrank by 1.1 percent from the previous quarter. Japan has also been left behind by China,which has now become the second largest economy of the world.

Home prices fall in US cities

The SP Case-Shiller index shows that home prices in twenty U.S. metros are falling as compared to prices same time last year.

US online holiday sales rise 15%

The holiday season seems to have proved profitable for online retailers in the United States as consumer spending has witnessed a significant jump.

Economy improves as layoffs slowdown, holiday spendings rise

Here's good economic news this holiday season! The employers are laying off fewer employees and consumers are spending more.

A&P stores files for bankruptcy protection

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company is more than 100 years old and was once one of the biggest grocer in the nation.