A private forecast of economic activity rose for the sixth straight month in September, a sign the economy will keep growing early next year despite rising unemployment.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, after falling in five of the past six weeks, as employers remain reluctant to hire even with the economy showing signs of recovery.

Construction of new homes edged up slightly in September, helped by a rebound in single-family construction. But applications for building permits fell by the largest amount in five months, a worrisome sign for future housing work.

Wholesale prices dropped unexpectedly in September due to lower energy costs, as inflation remains in check amid signs of a broad economic recovery.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday called for the United States to whittle down its record-high budget deficits and for countries like China to get their consumers to spend more, moves that would help combat skewed global trade and investment flows that contributed to the financial crisis.

Output at the nation’s factories, mines and utilities rises for the third straight month in September on higher production of autos and other goods, positive signs for the ailing manufacturing sector.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment insurance has fallen to the lowest level since early January, a sign the labor market is slowly improving.

Inflation pressures remained modest in September even though gasoline prices edged higher.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reported strong third-quarter earnings Wednesday as its thriving investment banking business more than offset rising loan losses that the bank warned would continue for the forseeable future.

Retail sales declined in September by the largest amount this year as car sales plummeted following the end of the government’s popular Cash for Clunkers program. But outside of autos, sales were better than expected.

Ford Motor Co. reached a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers union on contract changes, a major step in the automaker’s efforts to keep labor costs in line with crosstown rivals.

You’re staring at a 12-ounce glass. It’s holding about six ounces of water. Is the glass half-filled or half-empty? Chances are good the optimist will say half-filled, noting something is always better than nothing and 50 percent or more gets you closer to where you want to be. You’re headed in the right direction. Keep trying. Besides, there’s an amazing story in how the water was discovered, transported, and poured, no doubt.

The continued rise in exports may be viewed as an encouraging sign that the global economy is starting to recover from a severe recession that began in the United States and quickly spread to other parts of the world.

U.S. businesses reduced inventories at the wholesale level for a record 12th consecutive month in August, although in an encouraging sign, sales jumped by the largest amount in 14 months.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since early January, as layoffs ease a bit amid a fledgling economic recovery.