The U.S. unemployment rate has plunged since the start of last year to a five-year low of 6.1 percent. And the July jobs report being released Friday will likely show a sixth straight month of healthy 200,000-plus gains. Yet for Douglas Hunter and millions like him, happy days aren't quite here again.

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U.S. economic growth accelerated to an annual rate of 2.5 percent from January through March, buoyed by the strongest consumer spending in more than two years. Government spending fell, though, and tax increases and federal budget cuts could slow growth later this year.

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A Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday found that the economy grew moderately in most regions of the country this spring and companies continued to hire.

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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) – The latest evidence that the economy is making steady gains emerged Friday from a gauge of future economic activity, which rose in October at the fastest pace in eight months. A ...

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By Martin Crutsinger AP Economics Writer Washington — A mixed picture of the economy emerged one day before key midterm elections that have focused on the nation’s financial health. Spending by Americans slowed in September and their incomes fell for ...

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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers did not boost their spending in June and their incomes failed to increase, further evidence that the economic recovery slowed in the spring. And Americans saved at the highest rate ...

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By ?JEANNINE AVERSA AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The recovery is losing so much momentum that employers are unlikely to step up hiring anytime this year, and unemployment could return to double digits. That was the bleak conclusion of ...

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By Christopher S. Rugaber AP Economics Writer Washington (AP) — Americans spent a little more in May but not enough to speed along the economic recovery. Consumer spending rose 0.2 percent last month after no change in April, the Commerce ...

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By JEANNINE AVERSA AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic rebound last quarter turned out to be slower than first thought, one of the reasons unemployment is likely to stay high this year. The economy grew at a 3 ...

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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Wages and benefits paid to U.S. workers posted a modest gain in the fourth quarter, ending a year in which recession-battered workers saw their compensation rise by the smallest amount on ...

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