Retail Sales in US Exceeded Forecasts in November

BloombergDec. 11 (Bloomberg) — Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than forecast in November, a sign consumer spending is gathering speed heading into 2010.The 1.3 percent increase followed a 1.1 percent gain the prior month that was smaller than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Purchases excluding autos climbed 1.2 percent, also more than anticipated… Read more

China’s Consumer Prices Rise 0.6% Amid Recovery

Wall Street JournalBEIJING — China is moving out of deflation after nearly a year of falling consumer prices, a turnaround driven in part by changes in government policies that kept costs of oil, water and electricity artificially low.China’s consumer price index climbed 0.6% from a year earlier in November, the National Bureau of Statistics said Friday, after declining every month since… Read more

Nearly 10,000 U.S. deaths caused by swine flu

MSNBCSwine flu has caused nearly 10,000 deaths in the United States, part of an outbreak that has infected about 50 million Americans, government health officials said Thursday.The deaths as of mid-November included about 1,100 children and 7,500 younger adults, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 200,000 people have been hospitalized, he… Read more

KAR Auction IPO raises less than hoped

ForbesKAR Auction Services Inc. shares will make their trading debut Friday, but the auctioneer of used and salvaged vehicles raised less than it had hoped in its initial public offering. The company’s IPO priced well below its expected range at a time of deep uncertainty in the auto industry.Vehicle sales in the U.S. have been at historic lows this year as the recession weighed on consumers’… Read more

Australian, New Zealand Dollars Strengthen on Job Gains, Outlook for Rates

BloombergDec. 10 (Bloomberg) — Australia’s dollar gained for a second day after a report showed employers added more than six times the number of jobs forecast by economists. New Zealand’s currency advanced on prospects for higher interest rates.The so-called Aussie rose after the statistics bureau said employers increased jobs for the third month in November, unexpectedly pushing down the… Read more