The third anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Colombia free trade pact came and went this month with the Obama administration still negotiating the fine print, Congress showing little interest and business groups frustrated by the lack of action on trade deals.

The US must address climate change in an international context, not just from a domestic lens, Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens told CNBC.

As Congress crafts legislation to impose new oversight on complex instruments blamed for hastening the financial crisis, a major sticking point has emerged over companies that use the derivatives to hedge risk.

"I haven't been this bearish in a year," the well-known analyst told CNBC in a live interview. "I look at the board and every single stock is up.  But there is no fundamental rooting as to why."

The seeming disconnect between the value of the dollar and the value of stocks is, in fact, not much of a disconnect at all, the New York Times reports.

Orders to U.S. factories rebounded in September, helped by strength in autos, heavy machinery and military aircraft.

Hopes for the fledgling economic recovery got a boost Monday from better-than-expected news on manufacturing, construction and contracts to buy homes.

As the US economic recovery looms larger, the gray cloud that has hung over the stock market for so long is finally starting to fade. Here's four sectors likely to outperform in the months and year ahead.

Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose in September as the biggest jump in demand for machinery in 18 months offset weakness in commercial aircraft and autos.

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of mining and construction equipment, said Monday about 2,500 laid-off employees will be permanently cut from the company and 550 others will be brought back to work by the end of next year.

A cursory look at quarterly earnings suggests corporate America is regaining its foothold. But a look at the stock market's reaction indicates otherwise.

A private forecast of economic activity rose for the sixth straight month in September, a sign the economy will keep growing next year.

Despite promises by President Barack Obama, more than 70 million Americans who have health insurance through their jobs could be open to higher costs or denials of some coverage under a leading overhaul plan making its way through Congress.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  The Dow shed more than 50 points, or 0.5 percent, but still held above 10,000. The S&P and Nasdaq each lost about 0.6 percent.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  Apple and Caterpillar surged after their earnings blew past forecasts.