Retirement Planning and Investing

Read about key developments in the United States and elsewhere that are most relevant to investors interested in retirement planning and investing.

[waiting]

Jobless Claims in U.S. Fall to Lowest Level in a Month

Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits dipped last week to the lowest level in a month as typical volatility...

[positive housing icon]

Shrinking Inventory Helps Boost Home Prices in Many U.S. Cities

A dwindling inventory of foreclosed properties has helped restrict the supply of homes for sale, pushing up prices...

[home with sold sign in front]

Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Rise Less Than Forecast

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes rose less than forecast in November, reflecting rising borrowing costs are...

[instant messaging via tablets and phones]

Income Inequality Is Not a Real Problem

American capitalism is doing its job in providing opportunity to all -- and deserves credit, not criticism, excessive...

[VW Tiguan]

Volkswagen Beats out GM in China for Top Auto Sales in 2013

For the first time in nine years, Volkswagen AG will reign as the top foreign carmaker in China,...

[dollar bills]

Bright Economic Outlook Boosts Dollar

In today's shortened pre-holiday trading, the U.S. dollar rose, thanks to bright economic data boosting convictions that the...

Orders for U.S. Durable Goods Rise More than Forecast

Orders for durable goods climbed more than forecast in November, showing broad-based gains that signal U.S. business investment...

china shopping

Chinese Growth at 7.5 Percent in 2014… Good Enough for You?

China’s economic growth for 2014 is expected to be 7.5 percent, as earlier expected, driven by strong export...

[retail streetscape]

U.S. Consumer Buying the Economic Recovery

A recent Bloomberg survey of 76 economists found that American households increased spending by the highest amount in...

Sales of Bank-Owned Properties Climb

Residential property sales for bank-owned properties increased for the third consecutive month in November.