Optimism among U.S. small businesses retreated in October for the first time in four months as the sales outlook worsened, while some measures of inflation accelerated.

A measure of U.S. manufacturing activity weakened in June to a two-year low as new orders contracted, restrained by lingering supply constraints and some softening in demand.

U.S. factory production unexpectedly declined in May for the first time in four months, restrained by supply challenges and hints of cooler demand for some big-ticket consumer goods.

Consumer sentiment deteriorated further in late May to a fresh decade low as escalating concerns over inflation dimmed the outlook for the economy.

U.S. retail sales picked up in March, helped by a surge in gas station receipts that masked mixed results in other large spending categories as consumers contend with decades-high inflation.

U.S. companies added workers at a healthy clip in November, suggesting employers continue to chip away at filling a near-record number of open positions.

An unprecedented number of Americans quit their jobs in September, highlighting how persistent churn is undercutting employers’ efforts to fill a near-record level of vacancies.

The United Auto Workers union’s strike against General Motors Co. may force credit raters to take action and move the company closer to junk status, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

FedEx Corp. is borrowing $1.5 billion to fund a contribution to its pension plan that it announced after the passage of U.S. tax law changes.