Factory orders increased in March

Orders placed with U.S. factories rose more than forecast in March, Bloomberg reported. Orders for goods climbed 3 percent, a fifth consecutive monthly increase, after a 0.7 percent February advance, according to the Commerce Department. …

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Republicans prepare to argue for high earners

As President Barack Obama pushes to raise income taxes on high earners, opponents are seizing new data that indicates these U.S. households already pay a large and growing share of taxes. Also, a new congressional …

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Principal reports “solid” first-quarter numbers

Principal Financial Group Inc. reported operating earnings of $231.8 million for the first quarter, the company announced yesterday, compared to $221.4 million for the first quarter of 2010.

Net income available to common stockholders was …

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Construction spending up for month, down year-over-year

Spending on private nonresidential construction increased 1.8 percent in March from February, according to yesterday’s report by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Year over year, spending has dropped 10.2 percent. Total nonresidential construction on spending was …

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