Financial

Jobless rate rises to 10.2%

Level highest since 1983; climb not expected to stop

The unemployment rate in the U.S. rose to 10.2 percent in October, the Labor Department said Friday.
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State’s farm losses forecast to worsen

Just too much rain, researchers say

Arkansas farm losses due largely to an abnormally wet year are projected to be well over $225 million, a team of agricultural researchers said Friday.
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China bashes U.S. pipe tariffs, starts auto inquiry

China criticized Washington for imposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made steel pipes and started an investigation Friday of imported U.S. autos, adding to trade tensions two weeks before President Barack Obama visits Beijing.
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G-20 seeking to secure post-recession growth

The world’s top finance officials sought agreement Friday on ways to secure future global economic growth as much of the world emerges from recession.
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Retailer war on prices mounts

Pre-Christmas sales push starts

Black Friday Christmas sale advertisements began showing up online late this week as a price war over online book and DVD sales escalated, driven largely by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
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MARKET REPORT Job news ray of light for investors

Investors added to the week’s strong gains in the stock market after finding some positives in a surprisingly weak jobs report.
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AIG has 2nd quarterly profit in a row

AIG said Friday that it was profitable for the second straight quarter as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company’s bailout by the government last year.
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Bailout-flush Ally Bank irks rivals with deals, ads

Its TV and print ads poke fun at the baitand-switch tactics of other banks. Its interest rates on CDs have been the most generous in the industry.
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Jobless rate tops 10 percent for first time since '83

The nation’s unemployment rate has hit double digits for the first time since April 1983 — and it is likely to climb higher.
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Companies see productivity soar

Some analysts say workers’ stepped-up pace a hiring disincentive

Companies across the nation are finding ways to do more with fewer workers, dimming hopes that hiring will take off anytime soon.
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Sales up; stores look to Christmas

October’s retail sales results, the best performance since April 2008, show that Americans are spending a little more. But will they be willing to pay full price this Christmas season?
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GM’s U.S. aid seen possible to help Opel

Thousands walk off jobs in Germany

General Motors Co.’s top executive said Thursday that the automaker could tap some of its $50 billion in U.S. government aid to help restructure GM’s European Opel unit.
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Fannie Mae to let some owners rent back homes

Thousands of borrowers on the verge of foreclosure will soon have the option of renting their homes from Fannie Mae, under a policy announced Thursday.
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Tyson to pay $250,000 in labor suit

A jury in Birmingham has ordered Tyson Foods Inc. to pay $250,000 for labor violations at its production plant in Blountsville.
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October sales offer relief to merchants

Consumers spent a little more in October, handing the retail industry its second consecutive monthly sales gain after more than a year of declines.
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