Business News Headline - 26 August, 2008

Reuters - Federal Reserve monetary policy-makers this month saw a weakening economic outlook and financial market stress as supporting the case for steady interest rates despite persistent concerns about inflation.

Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence recovered more than expected in August as fears over inflation eased, while financial markets combed through housing data on Tuesday for reasons to hope the worst may be over.

Reuters - The Dow and S&P 500 rose on Tuesday as hurricane fears lifted oil prices and boosted energy shares, blunting the effect of a report that showed a growing number of problem U.S. banks.

The poverty rate is holding steady and the number of uninsured has dropped, according to the Census Bureau's annual snapshot of American economic well-being. The data does not take into account the consequences of the economic downturn that began late last year, however.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Many auto lenders are pulling back incentives to lease vehicles. Consumers don't want to lease trucks and SUVs anymore and the credit crunch isn't helping. Avoiding leasing is actually a good thing, says our personal finance expert.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us