Wall Street Is Mixed Ahead of Jobs Report - New York Times
Shares traded within a narrow range on Thursday after a better-than-expected dip in initial jobless claims and improving retail sales. However, investors are expected to avoid making any big moves before Friday’s monthly employment report. European

Jobless claims drop, retail sales climb - San Francisco Chronicle
New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the economy slowly recovers. Meanwhile, retailers reported Thursday that sales rose in February by the largest amount since November 2007, a month before the

U.S. Economy: Pending Sales of Existing Homes Unexpectedly Drop - BusinessWeek
March 4 (Bloomberg) -- Fewer Americans than expected signed contracts to purchase previously owned homes in January, indicating the extension of a tax credit is doing little to lure buyers. The index of purchase agreements, or pending home sales

Shopping for Gifts on the Fly - ABC News
After travelling for days between endless business meetings you are finally heading home. And probably one of the last words muttered by a loved before your departure sounded something like: Don't forget to bring me something nice! Singapore?s Changi

Pending U.S. Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Fall (Update2) - BusinessWeek
March 4 (Bloomberg) -- The number of contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly declined in January, showing the extension of a tax credit is sparking little interest. The index of purchase agreements, or pending home sales, fell 7.6