Obama says private sector is fine — see the charts

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

During a press conference Friday, President Barack Obama said the private sector �was fine,� a comment that drew immediate scorn from conservatives. The data on the subject however offers multiple interpretations. Here are the charts of the relevant statistics. See full story.

Obama takes more strident tone with Europe

President Barack Obama urges European leaders to take specific steps to end the debt crisis. His comments are in contrast to two years of quiet prodding of European leaders. See full story.

Friday�s biggest gaining and declining stocks

MarketWatch�s daily rundown of shares making sizable moves in the U.S. stock market. See full story.

Gold suffers weekly loss, but ends session higher

Gold futures finish lower for the week Friday, as recent comments by the top U.S. central banker squashed hopes of immediate stimulus, lifting the dollar and sinking prices a day earlier, but the metal ended the session on a positive note. See full story.

Dollar pares gain as investors look to Spain

The U.S. dollar pares gains Friday, getting a safe-haven lift from concerns over global economic growth, but losing some ground against the euro as investors anticipated a possible weekend move to bail out Spanish banks. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Everyone knows America has too much debt. What they don�t know is that things are getting better, not worse. Little by little, our economy is reducing its debt burden, writes Rex Nutting. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

When it comes to IRAs, timing is everything. Robert Powell looks at five rules that could derail your retirement-savings plans. See full story.