dips

Construction of new homes dipped unexpectedly last month as bad weather hit much of the country.

Nov. 11 -- Confidence in the world economy dipped in November as central banks' actions to withdraw some stimulus measures sparked concern about the strength of the recovery, a Bloomberg survey of users on six continents showed.

Denny's Corp. said its third-quarter profit slipped as consumers continued to eat at home more often amid the recession.

The price of key ingredient in white paint is declining at a faster pace, signaling that a pickup in manufacturing activity could lose some steam.

The unemployment rate fell in 17 states and the District of Columbia last month, a positive sign even as the pain of joblessness remains widespread.

Hillenbrand Inc., which provides funeral products and services, said Wednesday its fiscal third-quarter profit fell slightly on lower burial demand and a weak flu and pneumonia season.

Employers throttled back on layoffs in July, cutting just 247,000 jobs, the fewest in a year, and the unemployment rate dipped to 9.4 percent.

It was a better than expected showing that offered a strong signal that the recession is finally ending.

Drivers are spending less time stuck in rush-hour traffic for a second straight year,  as high gas prices and the economic downturn force many Americans to change how they commute.

The economy tumbled at a 5.5 percent pace in the first quarter, but appears to be doing better now.

Industrial production tumbled a larger-than-expected 1.1 percent in May as the recession crimped demand for a wide range of manufactured goods including cars, machinery and household appliances.