A top Federal Reserve official on Friday defended the central bank's dual mandate of full employment and price stability, but also said he's optimistic the economy is gathering strength.
The U.S. investment bank has added to the exuberance over Tokyo markets, upgrading its 12-month target for stocks on expectations of bumper earnings growth.
Insider selling at the biggest tech companies hit a record pace over the last six months even as investors snatched up shares, pushing the Nasdaq Composite Index to a 12-year high.
Retailers broadly missed analysts' estimates for same-store sales in March, a month that typically sees cold weather and slow hiring in the early weeks.
A top Federal Reserve official took an early stab at how the central bank should reduce its swelled balance sheet to a more normal size in the years ahead, arguing the current plan may need some adjusting.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week while import prices fell in March as weak petroleum costs offset a spike in food prices.
Claims that reform would boost the economy are challenged by those who say costs in job losses and spending on social programs would be too high a price.
A breakthrough agreement to expand background checks for gun buyers, boosts the prospects the Senate will approve at least some of President Barack Obama's proposed gun restrictions.
Despite lackluster sales of fully electric and extended range electric cars, President Obama's proposed budget for 2014 calls for $575 Million for the Energy Departments vehicle research budget.