Latest News Updates From Josh Boak

WASHINGTON — The Labor Department on Sept. 6 affirmed last month’s report that U.S. productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.9% in the second quarter.

WASHINGTON — Spending on U.S. construction projects ticked up 0.1% in July, led by an increase in homebuilding and the publicly funded building of schools and highways.

WASHINGTON — Sales of new U.S. homes jumped 6.7% in May, with purchases in the South accounting for all of the monthly gains.

U.S. services firms grew at a slower pace in April compared with the prior month as companies are reporting cost pressures from possible tariffs and a shortage of available workers.

Spending on U.S. construction projects ticked up a mere 0.1% in February from the prior month, a sign that a growing economy is doing little to spur a more rapid pace for building homes, hospitals and highways.

U.S. home prices climbed a robust 6.2 percent from a year ago, amid strong demand from would-be buyers and a shrinking supply of properties for sale.