United States

Friday, August 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Relief: USDA hikes world grains production estimates

The US Department of Agriculture corrected upwards its estimate of world production of grains for 2008/09 which should total 2.190,61 million tons, up from the previous 2.164,97 million tons.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US July inflation soars to highest in almost two decades

United States consumer prices rose by 5.6% in the year to July, the fastest inflation rate for almost two decades figures show. US Labor Department reported consumer prices rose 0.8% last month after jumping 0.6% in May and 1.1% in June. The July number was double what economists had predicted.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US surprises: trade deficit down; budget shortfall up

Good and bad news from United States: while the June trade deficit helped by strong farm and manufacture goods exports fell to an unexpected 56.8 billion US dollars, the July federal budget deficit soared to 102.8 billion pushed by the economic stimulus payments and more outlays to protect depositors from failed banks.
Thursday, August 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Congress estimates US budget deficit of 400 billion

The United States budget deficit is expected to reach 400 billion US dollars in 2008, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
Wednesday, August 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US mortgage defaults climb and house prices keep sinking

Freddie Mac, which offers funding for a huge proportion of United States mortgages, has posted a quarterly loss amid continued problems in the housing market. As mortgage defaults climb and house prices sink, it made a loss of 821 million US dollars in the three months to the end of June, down from a profit of 729 million.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US June inflation hits 0.8%, highest since February 1981

Consumer spending in the United States slowed in June, while inflation in June was the highest since 1981. Inflation-adjusted spending fell 0.2% in June, according to the US Commerce Department.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fed admits high inflation but leaves rates unchanged, 2%

The Federal Reserve decided on Tuesday to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 2% in support of a slowing economy threatened by inflationary pressures and the ongoing housing contraction and high fuel prices.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Car industry downturn: GM reports losses of 15.5 b USD

General Motors reported on Friday a net three-month loss of 15.5 billion US dollars as North American sales fell by 20%. GM took a 3.3 billion charge for buying out the contracts of 19,000 hourly workers who left at the end of June.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US unemployment rising hits four year high in July: 5.7%

The United States unemployment rate increased to a four-year high in July according to a Labor Department report issued Friday which shows 5.7% of the US workforce is out of a job, a slight increase from June.
Friday, August 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US economy picks up but Governors give different picture

The US economy has been boosted by the government's 168 billion stimulus package, according to the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Official figures showed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose at an annual rate of 1.9% between April and June, up from 0.9%.