William Sluis

1. Global demand for U.S. goods strong Those who fret about a recession point to home building and banking, both hard-hit by mortgage defaults. Yet a global boom continues to...

1. No spring break for consumer confidence With spring thwarted in many areas by unexpected snow, it's past time to lift a dour mood that descended on much of the...

1. Fed forecast to cut rates by 0.75 percent With Wall Street on edge over the need for a bailout of financial powerhouse Bears Stearns & Co., policymakers from the...

1. As basic costs rise, spending slows With consumers facing red-hot prices for food and fuel, some inevitably are cutting back on trips to the mall, casting an icy chill...

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke added his voice Tuesday to those calling for stepped-up help for indebted homeowners, comments that spooked Wall Street investors already battling a case of nerves....

1. Payroll outlook far from promising Americans who worry about their jobs have found recent news less than optimistic. In January, payrolls fell by 17,000 positions. A new report comes...

The number of homes facing foreclosure or being repossessed nationally by banks grew substantially in January, according to a housing data firm, which also reported that the situation in the...

1. Consumer confidence sinks; 'new dawn' ahead As Americans contemplate mountainous mortgage and credit card debts, consumer confidence has deteriorated. Another tally from the Conference Board arrives Tuesday. Chicago economist...

With the housing industry locked in a deep chill and another Chicago-area builder, Kennedy Homes, showing signs of financial duress, some builders are trying a new tactic: freezing prices. Several...

1. Slight housing correction While some may argue that the nation is managing to avoid recession, one area has been in a deep downturn for 2 1/2 years. It is...