Patrick Temple-West

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy expanded more slowly than economists expected in the third quarter, when it grew at an annual rate of 2.6% according to the third and final estimate Wednesday from the Commerce Department.

The South Carolina Heritage Trust was downgraded last week to A2 from A1 by Moody’s Investors Service because of “severe declines” in real estate values and transactions that provide revenue supporting bonds sold in 2006.

Lawmakers in South Carolina have filed several bond-related bills ahead of the state’s 2011 legislative session.

WASHINGTON — Existing homes increased 5.6% in November to a seasonally adjusted 4.68 million as the median home price increased for the first time since August, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.

WASHINGTON – Real gross domestic product increased 2.6% at an annual rate in the third quarter, revised higher on a stronger inventory investment estimate, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Core personal consumption expenditures were revised to a record low.

WASHINGTON — November housing starts increased 3.9% to 555,000 as building permits declined 4.0% to 530,000, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. current account deficit for the third quarter rose more than economists estimated to $127.2 billion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. current account deficit increased to $127.2 billion in the third quarter, the fifth consecutive quarterly rise, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - November housing starts increased 3.9% to 555,000 as building permits declined 4.0% to 530,000, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

Overall tax-exempt and taxable municipal bond issuance will increase to more than $502 billion next year from $435 billion this year if the Build America Bond program expires on Dec. 31, according to an annual survey conducted by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

Industrial production increased 0.4% in November to post its largest gain in four months, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.

Consumer prices rose more slowly than economists expected in November, edging up 0.1%, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

Investors who own bonds issued by the bankrupt Connector 2000 Association Inc. toll road have tentatively reached an agreement with the issuer and South Carolina to exchange their outstanding debt for new bonds.

WASHINGTON - Industrial production increased 0.4% in November, the largest increase since July, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices edged higher by 0.1% in November, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

Business inventories rose 0.7% in October as sales expanded 1.4%, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Retail inventories fell 0.6%.

Retail sales rose 0.8% in November as sales excluding autos jumped 1.2% to post their strongest gain since March, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

The Federal Reserve reaffirmed its plan to purchase $600 billion of Treasury bonds through the second half of 2011, while holding the federal funds target rate in the zero to 0.25% range, the Federal Open Market Committee announced Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve reaffirmed its plan to purchase $600 billion Treasury through the second half of 2011, while the fed funds rate was held at the zero to 0.25% range, the Federal Open Market Committee announced Tuesday.

WASHINGTON – Business inventories increased 0.7% in October, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.