Small crowd gathers for AIG annual meeting AP (June 30, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shareholders are getting a chance to voice their opinions on American International Group Inc.'s future at the embattled insurer's annual meeting.
Sears Holdings to start buyer protection program AP (June 30, 2009) HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) - Sears said Tuesday that it plans to offer a buyer protection program for its home appliances to help consumers who lose their jobs during the recession.
FDA panel to vote on painkiller restrictions AP (June 30, 2009) ADELPHI, Md. (AP) - Government experts are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether Nyquil and other combination cold medications should be pulled from the market to help curb deadly overdoses.
Obama: consumer agency to enforce financial rules AP (June 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says his new Consumer Financial Protection Agency will protect Americans from unscrupulous practices and make financial products easier to understand.
Consumer confidence falls in June AP (June 30, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A private research group is reporting Tuesday that consumers' confidence in the economy has fallen unexpectedly in June as shoppers fret about job security.
Protesters demand mortgage help from loan firms AP (June 30, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Protests are planned in more than a dozen cities across the country to demand that a group of mortgage companies who benefited from federal bailout money participate in a government program designed to prevent foreclosures.
Record fall in Japan prices fuel deflation fears AP (June 26, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Deflation is clawing its way back in Japan, and that's not good news for an economy trying to recover from its worst recession since World War II.
May incomes surge, but savings outpace spending AP (June 26, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Households pushed their savings rate to the highest level in more than 15 years in May as a big boost in incomes from the government's stimulus program was devoted more to bolstering nest eggs than increased spending.
Economy dips at slightly lower pace in 1Q AP (June 25, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The economy tumbled at a 5.5 percent pace in the first quarter, but appears to be doing better now, even though heavy layoffs persist.
Web has unofficial "cash for clunkers" sites AP (June 24, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is warning consumers to be wary of unofficial "cash for clunkers" Web sites that seek personal information or direct consumers to pre-register for the program.
Fed mulls tweaks to economic revival programs AP (June 24, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - With signs the economy is improving but still fragile, Federal Reserve policymakers are considering whether some programs intended to drive down rates on mortgages and other consumer debt should be slowed down.
Frank endorses consumer-protection agency AP (June 24, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank said Wednesday he supports the creation of a new government agency that would protect consumers from subprime mortgages and other high-risk financial products.
Global recession nearing bottom, OECD says AP (June 24, 2009) PARIS (AP) - The deepest global recession in over 60 years is close to bottoming out, but recovery will be weak unless governments do more to remove uncertainty over banks' balance sheets, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Wednesday.
Hyundai CEO: Gas tax may ease consumer uncertainty AP (June 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Consumers remain skittish about buying new cars not just because gas is getting more expensive, but because they have no idea which direction prices will go next, Hyundai's top U.S. executive said, calling for a flexible gas tax designed to keep pump prices stable.
German consumer confidence rising AP (June 23, 2009) BERLIN (AP) - German consumer confidence is rising, helped by an increase in income expectations and a job market that has remained stable despite the recession, a survey showed Tuesday.
'Vanilla' home loans could benefit borrowers AP (June 22, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - If President Barack Obama gets his way, consumers who take out mortgages would automatically get a "plain vanilla" loan - such as a traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage - unless they opted for a riskier variety.
Safety group asks GM for trunk-latch recall AP (June 19, 2009) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A safety foundation is asking General Motors Corp. to recall its 2000 and 2001 sedans and refit their trunks with emergency-release latches after two Arkansas children were found dead in the trunk of a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu.
Consumer prices rise less than expected in May AP (June 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumer prices rose less than expected in May, fresh evidence that the recession is keeping inflation in check.
Survey: Economic sentiment improves in Germany AP (June 16, 2009) BERLIN (AP) - Economic confidence in Germany, Europe's largest economy, improved for an eighth straight month in June, with a recovery from recession expected to come around the end of the year, a closely watched survey showed Tuesday.
Foreclosures fall 6 percent in May from April AP (June 11, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of U.S. households on the verge of losing their homes dipped in May from April, and the annual increase was the smallest in three years.
P&G taps McDonald to lead AP (June 10, 2009) CINCINNATI (AP) - Procter & Gamble Co. said Wednesday it chose 29-year company veteran Bob McDonald, citing his broad global experience, to lead the world's largest consumer-products company.
Obama's new stimulus plan same as the old AP (June 09, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is promising some exciting coming attractions for his stimulus plan. But it turns out they're just summer reruns.
Govt. urges people to make homes healthy AP (June 09, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is urging parents and homebuilders to make their homes more healthy by getting rid of lead paint, mold, and other hazards.
Glances at McDonald, Lafley AP (June 09, 2009) (AP) - A glance at the careers of Bob McDonald and A.G. Lafley of the Procter & Gamble Co.:
Massachusetts settles with mortgage lender AP (June 09, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - A bankrupt California-based subprime mortgage lender has agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations of unfair practices that contributed to the current spike in Massachusetts home foreclosures.
NY AG targets mortgage modification firms AP (June 09, 2009) GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's attorney general says consumers do not have to pay upfront fees to companies that promise help in staving off home foreclosures.
P&G board meets amid CEO reports AP (June 09, 2009) CINCINNATI (AP) - The Procter & Gamble Co.'s board of directors met Tuesday amid a report that they are ready to act on a long-anticipated CEO succession plan, but a company spokesman said the report remained speculative.