2012 | featured news

Signed contracts for home resales rose to a nearly two-year high in January, an industry group said on Monday, further evidence of a budding recovery in the housing market.

Consumer sentiment improved a tad in February to rack up a year high as Americans became more confident about the economy's resilience, a survey released on Friday showed.

Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing.

Consumer spending was flat in December as households took advantage of the largest rise in income in nine months to boost their savings, setting the tone for a slowdown in demand early in 2012.

The world economy will lose momentum in 2012 but it will keep moving in the right direction, according to Reuters polls of around 600 economists who said crisis-hit Europe would drag on global growth.

In order to identify the best and worst stocks in the Dow for 2012, we reviewed the DJIA stocks which had the most and least implied upside.

2012 looks to be another year of opportunity for the few who can afford to buy or refinance a home.

Stocks rose sharply on the first trading day of 2012 as upbeat U.S. economic data overshadowed continuing concerns about the European debt crisis.

Greece faces another tough year in 2012 but must stick to its program of austerity and reform to stay in the euro, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said in a pre-recorded New Year's Eve address.

After a year marked by a wave of popular uprisings, deadly natural disasters and continued economic uncertainty, millions around the world are set to ring in 2012 with a party... As the clock strikes midnight around the world Saturday, people are ushering in a new year with fireworks and festivities, purpose and promises -- and a string of resolutions they'll no doubt break.