consumer spending

The warning from the ratings agency could not have been more direct: The parent company of the Mohegan Sun faces a "wall of debt" due early this year as the casino, struggling with rising competition and a weak economy that's hammered consumer spending, tries to refinance hundreds of millions of dollars in loans.

Although retail sales have remained relatively strong, high levels of consumer debt make it unlikely that rapid growth will help power economic expansion.

U.S. consumer spending rose less than expected in November as tepid income growth put a squeeze on households.

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that the U.S. economy has improved modestly as hiring and consumer spending have risen, and it's holding off on any new steps to boost the economy.

Economic growth is picking up in the final three months of the year, fueled by higher consumer spending, rising business stockpiles and modest increases in hiring.

Despite a morning swoon, stocks ended higher Tuesday, in part buoyed by a report that said consumer spending increased more than expected in October.

Consumer spending likely edged up slightly in August after posting a big jump in July that had eased fears that the United States might be flirting with another recession.

Consumer spending rose at its fastest pace in five months in July, supporting views the economy was not falling back into recession.

South Korea's economic growth slowed in the second quarter as weaker exports, manufacturing and services offset stronger consumer spending and rebounds in construction and capital outlays, the central bank said Wednesday.

South Korea's economic growth rate accelerated sharply in the first quarter on strength in exports and manufacturing, though high inflation for food and gasoline weighed on consumer spending.