°®¶¹´«Ã½

Gains in consumer spending and business investment helped the U.S. economy rebound more than forecast in the second quarter following a slump in the prior three months that was smaller than previously estimated.

Confidence among U.S. consumers soared in July to the highest level in almost seven years on the heels of a strengthening labor market.

The index of pending home sales declined 1.1 % in June after rising 6% in May, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed.

U.S. refineries are flexing their muscles and helping lower gasoline prices in the middle of the peak driving season.

Orders for U.S. business equipment rose in June following a revised drop the prior month, indicating corporate investment remains stop-and-go and could hold back economic growth.

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in more than eight years.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes climbed in June to an eight-month high as more listings helped prices cool, luring buyers into the market.

The consumer price index increased 0.3% in June after a 0.4% gain the prior month, matching median forecast of 85 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News, figures from the Labor Department showed.

Consumer confidence in the U.S. declined in July to a four-month low as Americans’ outlook for the economy dimmed.