US economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct.

Sandy is thought to have slowed US hiring in Nov.

Superstorm Sandy is widely thought to have slowed U.S. job growth last month.

Superstorm Sandy is widely thought to have slowed U.S. job growth last month. The only question is how much - an answer that's expected to emerge Friday in the government's jobs report for November.

US economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct.

The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures.

AP-GfK Poll: Obama approval rises postelection

A month after the bitterly fought election, President Barack Obama has his highest approval ratings since the killing of Osama bin Laden, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll.

Short sales outpacing sales of bank-owned homes

Sales of U.S. homes facing foreclosure are on the rise and outpacing sales of bank-owned homes, a reflection of stepped up efforts this year by lenders to avoid foreclosing on homes with mortgages gone unpaid.

US unemployment aid applications drop to 370K

The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid fell sharply last week as a temporary spike caused by Superstorm Sandy has faded. Weekly applications have fallen back to a level consistent with modest hiring.

Analysis: Obama could risk going over 'cliff'

It may be just a bluff or a bargaining ploy, but the White House is signaling that President Barack Obama is willing to let the country go over the "fiscal cliff," a hard-line negotiating strategy.

It may be just a bluff or a bargaining ploy, but the White House is signaling that President Barack Obama is willing to let the country go over the "fiscal cliff," a hard-line negotiating strategy aimed at winning...

Poll shows support for raising taxes on the rich

Americans prefer letting tax cuts expire for the country's top earners, as President Barack Obama insists, while support has declined for cutting government services to curb budget deficits.

New inflation gauge would cut benefits, hike taxes

Tweaking the way the government measures inflation sounds like an obscure method to help reduce budget deficits, but over time it would lead to significantly lower Social Security benefits while increasing taxes,...

Report: Extending jobless benefits creates jobs

The Congressional Budget Office says extending the current level of long-term unemployment benefits for another year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy.

Extending the current level of long-term unemployment benefits for another year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy, according to a report from the Congressional Budget Office.

US economy grew at 2.7 percent rate in summer

The U.S. economy grew at a faster 2.7 percent annual rate from July through September, although the strength may fade in the final months of the year.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate from July through September, much faster than first thought. The strength is expected to fade in the final months of the year because of the impact of Superstorm Sandy and...