Economy might be gaining traction, new data suggest

After a spring and summer of weak economic indicators, a flurry of fresh data suggest key sectors of the economy might be gaining traction, just as the battle for the White House enters the final round.

Election risk: Could Europe sink Obama campaign?

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Trillions in looming tax hikes and spending cuts. Washington saber-rattling over the debt ceiling.

Manufacturing Is Key to Economic Recovery: Opinion

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Barack Obama and his Republican challengers don't agree about much, but they do agree that the U.S. economy can't be turned around -- and middle class prosperity saved -- without a strong contribution from manufacturing.

U.S. manufacturers pick up pace in March

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — American manufacturers expanded at a somewhat faster pace in March and most industries experienced growth, according to a closely followed survey.

Broad trade deficit measure hits 3-year high

WASHINGTON – The U.S. current account deficit, which includes the trade balance of goods, services and investment flows, widened at the end of 2011 to the largest quarterly gap in three years.

Seaports: A key to economic recovery

President Obama’s recent speech outlining his plan for the American Jobs Act focused on several tactics that he believes will put people back to work and get our economy back on track. However, as the U.S. continues to confront the need for both economic austerity and job creation for the 9.1 percent of unemployed Americans, one of the nation’s oldest and largest economic drivers – seaports – continues to be overlooked.

By increasing our investment in America’s seaports, we can create high-paying, sustainable jobs that will put Americans back to work. Just last year, U.S. exports supported an estimated 9.2 million jobs. This means that for every $1 billion of exported goods,more than 5,000 jobs are supported.