MarketWatch

NEW YORK -- Seeking to reverse seven straight quarters of same-store-sales declines at its U.S. namesake chain, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that it's expanding the number of items on its shelves, launching TV advertising and working with its suppliers to lower costs.

The retail giant, which was hurt by a previous strategy to narrow its product assortment, said it's adding about 8,500 items, or 11 percent, to an average store.

Fishing supplies, crafts and fabric are among items being added back to store shelves, Walmart U.S. Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton told reporters, adding that the company is tailoring some merchandise to local demand, such as selling ice-fishing tools in markets like Minnesota.

WASHINGTON -- Despite numerous positive economic indicators, President Barack Obama ordered a probe into potential gasoline price-gouging on Friday and said the government is watching for manipulation in oil markets.

Speaking at a White House news conference, Obama said he's asked his attorney general and U.S. government agencies to work with state attorneys general to monitor for gasoline-price gouging, "to make sure that nobody is taking advantage of working families at the pump."

Shoppers snapped up new cars, clothing and electronics in February, pushing retail sales up for the eighth straight month.

WASHINGTON -- The number of U.S. workers who filed new applications for unemployment benefits fell by 17,000 last week to 421,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday, resuming a recent downward trend.

Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected initial claims in the week of Dec. 4 to fall to a seasonally adjusted 425,000. Last week's number was revised up by 2,000 to 438,000.

After peaking this year at 504,000 in August, weekly claims have gradually declined. Two weeks ago claims fell to 410,000, the lowest level in two-and-a-half years.

WASHINGTON -- Some 457,000 workers filed new applications for unemployment benefits last week, an increase of 20,000, indicating that employers are still reluctant to hire.

WASHINGTON -- New housing starts surged 10.5 percent in August to the highest level since spring, but the activity was driven by a sharp spike in apartment construction, government data showed.