The euro fell against the dollar Monday as investors looked at better-than-expected consumer sentiment in the U.S., and relatively steady oil prices in the face of a downgraded Hurricane Gustav.
Consumer electronic makers are bracing themselves for slower growth in the second half of this year and in 2009, but count on consumers turning to home entertainment amid tougher economic times and tighter budgets.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy expanded at a stronger-than-first-reported 3.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, as consumer spending and net exports were more robust than initially estimated and inventories fell less sharply, a government report showed on Thursday.
Unemployment in Germany fell slightly in August despite slumping business and consumer confidence in Europe's biggest economy, the federal employment office said Thursday.
After a barrage of consumer complaints, the government is banning phone calls of prerecorded sales messages unless consumers agree to receive the calls.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - J.C. Penney Co Inc and Abercrombie & Fitch Co said quarterly profits beat Wall Street expectations, but came up short in their earnings forecasts, joining other U.S. retailers who fear a deeper slowdown in consumer spending toward year's end.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer prices climbed at twice the rate expected in July and job prospects kept softening last week, according to Labor Department reports on Thursday that pointed to swelling economic stress.
Legislation aimed at improving U.S. consumer product safety after millions of Chinese-made toys were recalled last summer was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Thursday.
Responding to growing consumer anxiety, California lawmakers are considering enacting what could be the first statewide restrictions on a chemical found in plastic baby bottles and infant formula cans.
