Dennis Moore

WASHINGTON — The employment cost index rose 0.7% for the second quarter of 2011 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The first-quarter ECI was unrevised at a 0.6% increase.

The Employment Cost Index rose 0.7% for the second quarter 2011on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The first quarter ECI was unrevised at a 0.6% increase.

WASHINGTON — Initial jobless claims dropped 24,000 to 398,000, on a seasonally adjusted basis, in the week ended July 23, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That was the lowest number since 385,000 initial claims were reported in the week ended April 2.

WASHINGTON - Initial jobless claims dropped 24,000 to 398,000, on a seasonally adjusted basis, in the week ended July 23, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That was the lowest number since 385,000 initial claims were reported in the week ended April 2.

WASHINGTON - Some airport bond ratings could be hurt by the congressional stalemate over funding the Federal Aviation Administration, according to credit rating analysts.

WASHINGTON — New orders for durable goods fell 2.1% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Orders excluding transportation were up just 0.1%.

WASHINGTON - New orders for durable goods fell a surprising 2.1% in June, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Orders excluding transportation were up just 0.1%.

WASHINGTON — New home sales fell 1.0% to a 312,000 annual rate in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - New home sales fell 1.0% to a 312,000 annual rate in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Initial jobless claims rose to 418,000 for the week ending July 16 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Initial jobless claims rose to 418,000 for the week ending July 16 on a seasonally adjusted basis the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Existing sales dropped 0.8% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.77 million, the third straight drop as a jump in contract cancellations led to lower sales figures, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.

Existing sales dropped 0.8% in June to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.77 million sales, the third straight drop as a jump in contract cancellations led to lower sales figures, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is proposing to reduce the cost of the $3.8 billion metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport by having Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia pay for parking garages and a station with federal assistance.

WASHINGTON — Housing starts surged 14.6% to a 629,000-unit seasonally adjusted annual rate in June, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - Housing starts surged 14.6% to a 629,000 unit seasonally adjusted annual rate in June, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Consumer prices fell 0.2% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department reported Friday, after a revised 0.2% rise in May.

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices fell 0.2% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis the Labor Department reported Friday, after a revised 0.2% rise in May.

WASHINGTON — Business inventories rose 1.0% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON — The producer price index fell 0.4% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department reported Thursday.