Summer travel forecast: Better, but no blowout

Motel signs are seen in Lake George, N.Y. Airlines, hotels and campgrounds are expecting to see more customers in 2013 than in the previous few summers. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Summer travel forecast: Better, but no blowout

NEW YORK (AP) — This summer, high rollers are flying to lavish hot spots for their vacations. The rest of us are driving to less luxurious places like nearby campgrounds.

Why worry? Less aid by Fed would point to recovery

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 22, 2013, file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke listens as he testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before a Senate Joint Economic Committee hearing on "The Economic Outlook" . Investors have grown nervous that the Federal Reserve will scale back …

Why worry? Less aid by Fed would point to recovery

Trader David O'Day works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the close of trading Thursday. Stocks are ended the day slightly lower after recouping a big loss early on. U.S. markets fell immediately after the opening bell following a global slump prompted in part by an unexpectedl…

Why worry? Less aid by Fed would point to recovery

WASHINGTON | Investors have grown nervous that the Federal Reserve will scale back its efforts to boost the U.S. economy sooner than many expected.

In pursuit of finer things, men finding fashion

Don't be fooled by the old "my girlfriend bought me this" line.

Home in a home as families live together longer

It's a home within a home — and it could be coming soon to a home near you.

Strong 3 months of hiring as U.S. adds 227,000 jobs

It's the latest display of the breadth and strength of the economic recovery. The country has put together the most impressive three months of job growth since before the Great Recession.

Economy grew modest 2.8 pct. in Q4, best in 2011

Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years, helping the U.S. economy reach its fastest growth rate of last year.

US job market ends year in better shape

The long-suffering job market is ending the year better off than it began. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits each week has dropped by 10 percent since January.

Claims lowest since April '08 as job market improves

In the latest sign that the economy is surging at year's end, unemployment claims have dropped to the lowest level since April 2008, long before anyone realized that the nation was in a recession.

Economic recovery slow for US nonprofits

As the first signs of an economic recovery make the news, many of the nation's nonprofit organizations are digging in for another three to four years of financial distress, according to researchers who keep an eye on the charitable world.

After Euro deal, investors brace for big moves

Europe's fiscal pact may save the euro from collapse and stave off worldwide financial panic. But the concerns of many investors are more personal: Will it lift my flagging 401(k)?

Economists see modest growth next year

The U.S. economy will muddle through the next year without a recession, but growth-predicted to be 2.4 percent-will be too weak to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate, forecasters believe.

New-home sales tick up as builders slash prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales of new homes rose in September after four straight monthly declines, largely because builders cut their prices in the face of depressed demand.

A year-end stock comeback? It's happened before

2011 was shaping up to be a washout for the stock market just two weeks ago. Now, it's within shouting distance of its biggest comeback in nearly three decades.

How bad can it get if the US falls into recession?

Are investors overreacting to the prospect of a recession? The slightly better jobs report on Friday notwithstanding, the odds of a recession appear to be climbing, and that's bringing back scary memories.

Excerpts from recent Indiana editorials

Police search ruling better, not best

Dismal report shows no net job increase in August

Employers stopped adding jobs in August, an alarming setback for an economy at risk of another recession. The government also reported that the unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent. It was the weakest jobs report since September 2010.

Shoppers lift U.S. economy, if they keep spending

Consumers spent more on cars, furniture, electronics and other goods in July, and more in May and June than previously thought. If it keeps up, the economy might rebound after growing in the first half of 2011.