Business

Odds of a Recession Are Receding, Economists Say

A shopper in the shadows

A strong majority of business economists now say odds of the U.S. entering a recession in the next 12 months are 50% or less, according to a National Association for Business Economics survey.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
July 24, 2023
Business, Equipment

Business Equipment Orders Increase Again in May

A warehouse worker operates a forklift

Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment rose in May for a second month, indicating companies continue to make longer-term investments despite high borrowing costs.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
June 27, 2023
Government, Business, Equipment

Factory Production Rebounds in April After March Slump

Rows of electrical motor parts

Production at U.S. factories rebounded in April, led by a firm advance at automakers and suggesting some stabilization in goods demand.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
May 16, 2023
Government, Business

Consumer Long-Term Inflation Expectations Hit 12-Year High

Clearance sale at an Illinoisstore

U.S. long-term inflation expectations unexpectedly accelerated in early May to a 12-year high and consumer sentiment soured, reflecting growing concerns about the economic outlook.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
May 12, 2023
Government, Business

New Home Sales Unexpectedly Rise, Showing Some Stabilization

Homes in Rocklin, Calif.

Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in February after a downward revision to the prior month, suggesting the housing market is beginning to stabilize after a tumultuous year

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
March 23, 2023
Government, Business

Manufacturing Shrinks at Slower Pace in February, Prices Gauge Jumps

A robotic arm cuts shapes out of metal

A gauge of manufacturing improved for the first time in six months, though activity remained in contraction territory amid fragile demand and growing inflationary pressures.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
March 1, 2023
Government, Business, Equipment

Factory Gauge Falls to Lowest Since May 2020

The Ford F-150 Lightning assembly line

The U.S. manufacturing downturn deepened in January, fueled by a further pullback in orders and factory production.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
February 1, 2023
Government, Business, Equipment

Producer Price Index Sees Biggest Decline Since April 2020

A tableware factory

U.S. producer prices dropped in December by the most since the start of the pandemic, extending a monthslong pullback in inflationary pressures and giving the Federal Reserve room to slow the pace of interest-rate hikes.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
January 18, 2023
Government, Business

Labor Data Surprises as Job Market Runs Hotter Than Forecast

An American flag on a factory floor

Data released Jan. 5 reinforced the strength of the labor market, with hiring at U.S. companies far exceeding expectations and applications for jobless benefits falling to a three-month low.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
January 5, 2023
Government, Business, Equipment, Logistics

Manufacturing Contracts in December for Second Straight Month

An employee stands near an American flag

U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for a second month in December, capping the steepest annual slide in the key factory gauge since 2008 and helping to further tame price pressures.

Reade Pickert | Bloomberg News
January 4, 2023