The U.S. post office, a pillar of American neighborhoods since the country’s early days, is facing major changes as postal officials consider closings or consolidating services at hundreds of locations across the United States.

Conflicting statements over whether the Obama administration is going to raise taxes on the middle class have highlighted the political dilemma facing the president as he struggles to reduce the deficit and push through his expensive healh care overhaul.

The government’s “cash-for-clunkers” program drew car and truck buyers back to American showrooms last month, making July the best month for auto sales in nearly a year and offering powerful evidence that the rebates were working as senators debate whether to continue them.

Homegrown sales boost China

As earnings season grinds on, a common theme has emerged. Many companies are reporting surprisingly good profit even as revenue falls.

U.S. manufacturing shrank less than expected in July, easing to its slowest pace in almost a year, according to an industry report Monday. The…

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it will continue to investigate the relationship between the boards of Apple Inc and Google Inc, after Google’s chief quit Apple’s board on Monday.

Treasury prices fell Monday as stronger economic reports dampened demand for safe-haven assets. Encouraging new data on manufacturing activity, construction spending and auto sales helped push the Standard & Poor’s 500 index to close above 1,000 for the first time since November.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is four digits again now that the stock market’s rally has blown into August. The widely followed stock market measure broke above 1,000 on Monday for the first time in nine months as reports on manufacturing, construction and banking sent investors more signals that the economy is gathering strength.