Personal spending rose 0.9% in March, the most since August 2009, the Commerce Department reported May 1.

Jobless claims rose by 14,000 to 344,000 in the period ended April 26, the highest level since Feb. 22, the Labor Department reported.

The U.S. gross domestic product grew at a 0.1% annual rate in the first quarter, the Commerce Department reported April 30.

Volkswagen AG extended the offer period for its $9.2 billion bid to buy out Swedish truck maker Scania AB after failing to reach the necessary 90% threshold of approvals.

Pending home sales rose 3.4%, the most since May 2011 and the first gain in nine months, after a 0.5% drop in February that was smaller than initially reported, the National Association of Realtors said April 28.

Orders for goods meant to last at least three years increased 2.6% in March, the biggest gain since November, after rising 2.1% the prior month, the Commerce Department reported April 24.

Volkswagen AG’s $9.2 billion bid to buy the rest of heavy-truck maker Scania AB received a boost after Scania’s fourth-largest shareholder backed the deal.

Canada’s two major freight railroads reported higher first-quarter earnings from a year ago despite harsh winter conditions.

Sales of new homes plunged 14.5% in March to a 384,000 annualized pace, the lowest level in eight months, the Commerce Department reported April 23.