Census analysis supports the case that federal stimulus spending helped bring the U.S. out of recession.

A downshift in capital spending could be damaging to the labor market's already shaky recovery.

Mortgage purchase applications remain very depressed, but they are no longer falling.

Challenger reports layoffs at a 10-year low, an odd signal given other recent labor market indicators.

Consumer confidence edged higher despite weaker equity prices and a rise in jobless claims.