Consumers who track their finances online increased their household spending by an average of $400 during the second quarter, compared with the previous quarter, reversing an 18-month trend, according to data released today by <a href=http://www.Mint.com>Mint.com</a>.
The number of newly laid-off Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits rose last week, the government said, though the increase was mostly due to seasonal distortions.
Commercial and personal property insurer Travelers Cos. said today that lower investment income and underwriting profit drove its second-quarter earnings down 21 percent.
Highlights from the Federal Reserve's survey of economic conditions nationwide. The survey, released Wednesday and known as the Beige Book, is based on information collected from the Fed's 12 regional bank districts.
The Hartford (Conn.) Financial Services Group Inc. booked a $15 million loss, or 6 cents per share, for the second quarter.
Health insurer Cigna Corp. said today its second-quarter profit jumped 60 percent on a more favorable interest rate and other items, but enrollment fell 7 percent.
Wow, I read this morning that Merrill Lynch has already started aggressively hiring trainee Financial Advisors
Commonwealth Financial Network of Waltham, Mass., picked up three large offices of reps and advisers who manage $1.25 billion in July, and the advisers are coming from two broker-dealer networks that are being shopped by the insurance companies that own them.
Moody's Corp., owner of Moody's Investor Service, said Wednesday that second-quarter profit fell 19 percent as the credit markets continued to languish. But it beat Wall Street estimates and raised its 2009 profit forecast.
Deutsche Bank AG has reported a 67 percent rise in second-quarter net profit due to stronger corporate and investment banking and one-time charges that lowered the year-ago results. Shares slumped, however, due to write-downs and a cautious outlook.
If a Securities and Exchange Commission proposal that advisers deducting fees from client accounts conduct annual surprise audits is enacted, such audits could cost as much as $24,000 apiece, some three times the $8,000 estimated by the SEC, according to the Financial Planning Association.
Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket durable goods plunged in June by the largest amount in five months, reflecting the continuing troubles in the auto industry and a steep drop in demand for commercial aircraft.
Craig Raymond has joined John Hancock Financial Services Inc. as its new chief risk officer and chief actuary, effective immediately.
Insurer Conseco said expects to post a profit in the second quarter because of a much smaller investment loss.
Investment guru Bill Miller says it's safe to come out of the bushes — the bears have been contained.
A preliminary report on consumer sentiment in July is expected to show that Americans remain gloomy as job worries offset any enthusiasm about the resumed stock market rally that has helped bolster retirement accounts.
Insurer American International Group Inc. said on today that it closed the sale of its life insurance premium finance business for $679.5 million in cash.
Women are cutting back on discretionary expenses in this down economy more than men, according to a study released today.
Jitters about the U.S. economy are putting the stock market rally on hold again.
