# Business

As US Housing Industry Gains Momentum, Other Sectors Follow

Residential construction, remodeling, moving, gardening and furniture buying add up to about 20 percent of the country's gross domestic product — which is why the upward momentum in housing, which continues to gain steam, is such a powerful boost to the economy.

# Business

Growing Momentum in US Economy: New Data

A clutch of data pointed to growing momentum in the economy during the first quarter, with jobless claims trending lower and factory activity and homes sales both on the rise.

# Business

Sturdy Job Gains Offer Bright Sign for US Economy

US employers stepped up hiring in February, adding a greater-than-expected 236,000 workers to their payrolls and helping to push the jobless rate to a four year-low in a bright signal on the economy's health.

# Business

April US Jobs Report: Hiring Picks Up, Surprising Economists

The economy added 165,000 jobs in April, surprising economists and easing fears of an imminent collapse in the recovery. Also, an optimistic report released last week showed the number of Americans filing unemployment claims fell last week to the lowest level since January 2008.

# Business

87 Percent of Tech Startups Plan to Hire in 2013

If you know anyone looking for a job, you might want to tell them to go see a start-up. Eighty seven percent of technology startups plan to hire new employees this year, according to an interactive report by Silicon Valley Bank, which serves high growth tech companies across the United States. In the US, that number is 14 percent higher than four years ago.

# Business

Main Street Comeback: How Independent Stores are Thriving

Despite behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, the number of independent bookstores, coffeeshops, and other businesses is growing. At the annual Business Alliance for Local Living Economies conference, where more than 600 high-energy people strategized about the transition to a more localized, Main Street economy, I learned that independent retailers are thriving.

# Business

Apple Bans Use of 2 Hazardous Chemicals in iPhone Assembly

Apple is banning the use of two potentially hazardous chemicals during the final assembly of iPhones and iPads as part of the company's latest commitment to protect the factory workers who build its trendy devices.

# Business

Revlon Removes Dubious Chemicals From Its Products

After a consumer petition demanded change, global cosmetics giant Revlon announced in December it is removing long-chain parabens and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from its beauty products.