Economists say a combination of natural and man-made disasters led to unexpectedly weak U.S. retail sales in the crucial two months before Christmas. MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, which tracks retail spending, reports that sales rose just 0.7 percent over the same October-to-December period last year. MasterCard says October’s Superstorm Sandy affected sales in the Northeast while […]
Analysts: Bad Weather, Violence Weaken Pre-Holiday Retail Sales
Auto Sales Rise
U.S.-based automakers say their sales rose sharply in 2011 as consumers gained confidence, interest rates remained low, and consumers replaced aging vehicles they held onto during the recession. General Motors says its sales rose 13 percent, as customers bought 2.5 million of its vehicles. Rival Ford posted an 11 percent gain, and sold just over […]
Auto Sales Rise
U.S.-based automakers say their sales rose sharply in 2011 as consumers gained confidence, interest rates stayed low, and consumers replaced aging vehicles they held onto during the recession. General Motors says its sales rose 13 percent, as customers bought 2.5 million of its vehicles. Rival Ford posted an 11 percent gain, and sold just over […]
Auto Sales Rise
Chrysler says its U.S. auto sales rose a sharp 26 percent over the past year, as the revamped company introduced new products and customers were encouraged by signs of an economic recovery. Wednesday’s report from the third-largest U.S.-based Automaker says it sold just under 1.4 million vehicles in 2011. Last week, Ford Motor Company said […]
US Cyber Sales Expected To Hit Record Monday
U.S. consumers are expected to set a new record for on-line sales Monday as retailers offer deep discounts to lure shoppers buying things for Christmas gift-giving in late December. Experts and investors watch retail sales closely because consumer demand drives about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. The U.S. economy is the world’s largest, and […]
US Auto Sales Rise
Two U.S. automakers reported rising sales in their home market in October. Tuesday’s report from General Motors says the company’s sales were nearly two percent higher than the same month a year ago. Smaller rival Chrysler said its sales jumped 27 percent. Experts surveyed by news agencies predict that when all the companies report, sales […]
Apple Says it Sold 4 Million Phones in 3 Days
The technology company Apple says it has sold 4 million of its new iPhone 4s smartphones in just three days. Apple executives say that is the “most ever” for a phone. The new phone attracted considerable press coverage and boasts an improved camera, voice recognition, and other features. While the iPhone is selling strongly, the […]
After Credit Downgrade, US Borrowing Costs Actually Fell
A new analysis shows that borrowing costs for the U.S. government have fallen, contrary to the prediction of some economic experts that they would markedly increase after the country’s credit rating was downgraded. A U.S. business news outlet, Bloomberg, reported Friday that the $72 billion worth of notes the government auctioned this week collectively carried […]
US, Korean Automakers See Higher Sales
U.S. and South Korean automakers report higher U.S. vehicle sales in July, despite ongoing public concerns about the nation’s fragile economy. Sales at General Motors, the largest U.S. automaker, increased nearly 8 percent in July. GM said Tuesday it saw strong demand for its fuel efficient Chevrolet Cruze, as well as for its pickup trucks […]
July Sales Jump for Top US Car Maker
Sales at the largest U.S. automaker increased nearly 8 percent in July, driven higher by demand for fuel efficient vehicles. General Motors said Tuesday it saw strong demand for its Chevrolet brand, especially the Chevrolet Cruze. The company said it also saw strong demand for its pick-up trucks and crossover vehicles . GM Vice President […]