Business/Economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders agreed Tuesday to work out their differences over taxes and vowed after their first formal meeting since the elections to work harder on a more cooperative approach. There was no consensus on whether to keep Bush era tax cuts in place for the middle class and wealthy alike.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Realtors group says home sales in New Mexico dropped by 7 percent in October from a month earlier.

The median price of homes sold also dropped by nearly 3 percent from September to $175,000.

The sales and price figures were released late Friday by the Realtors Association of New Mexico.

Executive vice president Steven Anaya says the numbers in New Mexico mirror national trends.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer prices rose moderately in October but there was little sign of inflation as the cost of autos, clothing and hotels fell.

The Labor Department said Wednesday the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.2 percent last month, an increase from September's 0.1 percent rise. Wall Street analysts had expected a slightly larger increase. It was the fourth straight rise.

Gasoline prices accounted for most of the increase, rising by 4.6 percent in October, the biggest gain since July.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retail sales, helped by strong demand for autos, increased in October by the largest amount in seven months.

The Commerce Department reported Monday that retail sales rose 1.2 percent last month. That was nearly double the gain that had been expected and the largest increase since March. Much of the strength came from a big rise in auto sales. Excluding autos, retail sales rose a more modest 0.4 percent.