Wall Street Journal (08/27/15) Jeffrey Sparshott; Eric Morath

The economy grew at a faster pace than first thought in the second quarter as businesses boosted investment and inventories, giving mixed signals about growth for the remainder of the year. Gross domestic product grew at a 3.7% seasonally adjusted annual rate in the second quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, up from the initial estimate of 2.3% growth. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast a 3.3% growth rate.

The economy seems to be tracing the pattern seen last year, with a stumble at the beginning of the year followed by a relatively robust rebound. However, the overall picture has been one of modest growth, with full-year GDP expanding from 1.5% to 2.4% each of the past four years.

MarketWatch (08/27/15) Greg Robb

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits in the week ended Aug. 22 dropped by 6,000 to 271,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had forecast claims of 270,000. The four-week average of new claims rose by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 272,500.

PR Web (08/26/15)

Emergency and hospital medicine services staffing companies Schumacher Group and Hospital Physician Partners have merged, resulting in a combined presence in 29 states. The merger was completed in cooperation with investment partner Onex.