Stocks climb to records on hopes for lower interest rates

NEW YORK (AP) — The major U.S. stock indexes closed at record highs on Friday, with the S&P 500 ending above 3,000 for the first time. The market was driven higher by technology, consumer discretionary and industrial company stocks, which more than offset the drop in drugmakers. Investors continued to...

US producer prices rise a modest 0.1% in June

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. producer prices rose modestly in June, another sign that inflationary pressures remain subdued. The Labor Department said Friday that its producer price index, which measures inflation before it reaches consumers, rose 0.1% last month, same as the increase in May. Wholesale prices...

US producer prices rise 0.1% in June, another sign that inflationary pressures remain subdued

World shares mostly higher after Wall St sets new records

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mostly higher on Friday after Wall Street ended overnight with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 27,000 for the first time. Germany's DAX edged 5.68 points higher to 12,337.80 while the CAC 40 in France surged 0.6% to 5,585.27. Britain's FTSE climbed 0.3% to...

Asian shares mostly higher after Wall St sets new records

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares in Asia are mostly higher after a turbulent day on Wall Street ended with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 27,000 for the first time. Japan's Nikkei 225 index edged 0.1% higher to 21,674.14 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.5% to 28,575.96. The Shanghai Composite...

Setbacks for Trump's drive to lower prescription drug costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — After two setbacks this week, President Donald Trump is now focusing his drive to curb drug costs on congressional efforts aimed at helping people on Medicare and younger generations covered by workplace plans. The White House on Thursday yanked its own regulation to ease the financial...

Powell sends further signals of future rate cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, testifying for a second day before Congress, said Thursday that the economy is in a "very good place" despite headwinds and that the Fed is prepared to do what it can to "keep it there." Powell's comments before the Senate Banking Committee...

One reason for a Fed cut: Powell now fears too-low inflation

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a shift from just a few months ago, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is worried that too-low inflation could persist for a while — and undercut the U.S. economy. Powell's concern is a key reason why the Fed will likely cut short-term interest rates late this month for the...

The Latest: Powell says tariffs, immigration slow housing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's presentation of the Fed's semi-annual monetary report to the Senate Banking Committee. (all times local): 11:40 a.m. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says homebuilders are having a harder time building lower-cost housing because...

US consumer prices tick up just 0.1% as inflation stays tame

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer prices rose just 0.1% in June, as cheaper gas prices were offset by higher rents and auto costs. The Labor Department said Thursday that the consumer price index increased 1.6% in June from a year earlier. That is down from 1.8% in May and the second straight drop. However,...