Fed survey: housing, manufacturing drive recovery WASHINGTON (AP) — Improvements in housing and manufacturing are driving the early stages of the economic recovery, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday. The Fed's latest snapshot of business conditions nationwide found "many sectors" of the economy either stabilized or logged modest improvements over the past six weeks. The pickups ...

Oil prices jumped above $79 a barrel to a 2009 high Monday in Asia as investors looked to the corporate earnings of big U.S. retailers this week for signs consumers may be regaining confidence. Benchmark crude for November delivery rose as much as 52 cents to $79.05 ...

Commodities prices held fairly steady Friday despite reports indicating that consumer demand is likely to remain weak. Gold prices wavered in a narrow range throughout the day before settling up 90 cents at $1,051.50 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices ...