2010, September | featured news

The nation's economic stress fell in September to a 16-month low, thanks to more hiring in New England, fewer foreclosures in the mid-Atlantic and declining bankruptcy filings in the Southeast, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country.

Sales of previously owned homes rose more than expected in September, an industry group said on Monday, indicating the housing market was stabilizing at weaker levels.

In grim news for video game companies, market researcher NPD Group says U.S. retail sales of game hardware, software and accessories fell 8 percent in September to $1.2 billion.

The number of U.S. homes taken over by banks topped 100,000 for the first time in September, though foreclosures are expected to slow in coming months as lenders work through questionable paperwork, real estate data company RealtyTrac said on Thursday.

The unemployment rate stayed flat at 9.6 percent in September, but the drop in employment was far worse than expected.

Consumer sentiment unexpectedly worsened in early September to its weakest level in more than a year, as distress over jobs and finances intensified among upper-income families.

Blockbuster Inc. will file bankruptcy next month, people familiar with the matter have told the Los Angeles Times.