Ten areas where local economies are strong, housing markets are relatively healthy and people are flocking.

U.S. stocks rallied at the start of trading Wednesday amid some solid economic signs and the first Google trades above $700 a share.

The government has spent more money on bailing out hurricane victims than on any other of the nation’s natural disasters.

U.S. stocks rose in early trading Monday as investors looked ahead to a Federal Reserve policy meeting expected to result in a rate cut later this week.

With oil prices setting records over $90 a barrel and $100 looking ever more likely, experts say there’s a good chance drivers will see $3 gasoline before the end of the year.

The Nasdaq composite index soared more than 2 percent at Friday’s open after Microsoft’s earnings report, while Countrywide’s rosy outlook helped lift the broader market.

U.S. stocks were flat at the start of trading Thursday as investors were cautious ahead of the new home sales report and, after the close, Microsoft’s earnings.

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. took a $7.9 billion writedown in the third quarter due to bad mortgage bets, well exceeding its initial estimates and raising questions about the bank’s future leadership.

U.S. stocks slipped at the start of trading Monday amid continuing concerns about the economy, corporate earnings and the price of oil.

What the average family can expect to spend on yearly fuel costs in 20 of the largest American cities.