France’s economy expanded in the third quarter as a drop in oil prices helped consumer spending. Gross domestic product rose 0.1 percent from the second quarter.

Despite the uptick in November, Americans’ views on the economy remain gloomy amid layoffs, falling home prices and dwindling retirement funds, the Conference Board survey showed.

Despite the uptick in November, Americans’ views on the economy remain gloomy amid layoffs, falling home prices and dwindling retirement funds, the Conference Board survey showed.

An updated reading showed gross domestic product shrank at a 0.5 percent annual rate in the quarter, weaker than an earlier 0.3 percent estimate, as consumers cut their spending.

The federal budget deficit rose to $455 billion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 as financial market strains slowed economic growth while spending rose the most since 1990.

The G.D.P. is all well and good, but as a stand-in gauge for the nation’s overall well-being, this supernumber is less than perfect.

As the government reported that the economy stagnated in the quarter, the country’s financial regulator asked banking executives to prepare for an economic downturn.

The trade deficit for June, retail sales for July and the Consumer Price Index for July are among the highlights of the week’s economic reports.

Consumer spending increased 0.6 percent in June, but prices rose 0.8 percent, the government reported, indicating months of challenges to come.

A more unconventional indicator of a country’s economic progress involves looking at sales of sports equipment, apparel and footwear.