Business : Economy
Trade deficit narrows to $42.8 billion in July (AP)
AP - The trade deficit narrowed significantly in July as exports climbed to the highest level in nearly two years, reflecting big gains in sales of U.S.-made airplanes and other manufactured goods while imports declined.
AP - Oil prices rose again Thursday, to around $75 a barrel, after the government said jobless claims fell and crude inventories shrank more than expected.
Reuters - Russia should uphold democratic rights and increase political competition if the Kremlin's plans to modernize its economy are to become reality, President Barack Obama's top adviser on Russia said on Thursday.
Irish bonds, banks rebound after Anglo split plan (AP)AP - Investors welcomed Ireland's plan to split up its most debt-crippled bank, Anglo Irish, by bidding strongly Thursday for government bonds and bank shares.
Jobless claims, trade gap brighten outlook (Reuters)
Reuters - New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week to a two-month low, while the trade deficit narrowed sharply in July, hopeful signs for the stuttering economic recovery.
AFP - US President Barack Obama gets better marks for his wartime leadership than his stewardship of the sluggish economic recovery, a new opinion poll found Thursday.
AP - The global economic recovery could be slower than expected but another recession remains unlikely — especially if governments don't overdo their spending cuts, a leading international economic body said Thursday.
US jobless claims drop faster than expected (AFP)
AFP - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell faster than expected last week, extending a three-week decline, government data showed Thursday.
AP - Mortgage rates mostly edged up last week as investors' fears about the economy eased.
Hopes rise as jobless claims fall, trade gap eases (AP)
AP - The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum.
