Reade Pickert
Durable Goods Orders Slow While Business Investment Remains Sturdy
A customer views a refrigerator displayed for sale at an appliance story in San Jose, Calif. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News)
U.S. orders for durable goods increased in August at a slower pace than expected, restrained by declines in bookings for motor vehicles and military equipment, though a gauge of business investment rose more than forecast.
September 25, 2020Job Losses Persist as Claims Come in Higher Than Forecast
A worker cleans a plexiglass shield at a pizza restaurant in San Francisco. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News)
Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits held steady last week, a sign extensive job losses are persisting as the nation struggles to control the coronavirus.
September 10, 2020Unemployment Rate Drops by More Than Expected to 8.4%
An employee sanitizes the credit card machine at a store in Oak Park, Mich. (Emily Elconin/Bloomberg News)
The U.S. labor-market rebound extended for a fourth month in August, offering hope that the economy can continue to recover despite a persistent pandemic and Washington’s standoff over further government aid to jobless Americans and small businesses.
September 4, 2020Jobless Claims Resume Decline; Report Comes With Caveats
A bartender makes a drink at a nightclub in Columbia, S.C. (Micah Green/Bloomberg News)
Applications for state U.S. unemployment benefits decreased last week following an unexpected jump, indicating the labor market’s gradual recovery is back on track as COVID-19 infections ease from a surge in the prior two months.
August 27, 2020Durable Goods Orders Unexpectedly Accelerate in July
GE washing machines are displayed at a home appliance store in California. Orders for durable goods rose by more than double estimates in July. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News)
U.S. orders for durable goods rose in July by more than double estimates amid a continued surge in automobile demand, indicating factories will help support the economic rebound in coming months.
August 26, 2020Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Increase to More Than 1 Million
A customer wears a mask inside a boardwalk shop in Ocean City, N.J. on Aug. 1. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg News)
Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly increased last week, a stumble for the labor market in its long road to recovery.
August 20, 2020US Housing Starts Surge by Most Since 2016, Permits Climb
A contractor frames the roof of a home under construction in Park City, Utah, on Aug. 14. (George Frey/Bloomberg News)
U.S. home construction starts increased in July by more than forecast and applications to build surged by the most in three decades, indicating builders are responding to robust housing demand fueled by record-low interest rates.
August 18, 2020Rebound in US Retail Sales Slowed in July Amid Virus Surge
An employee wearing a protective mask cleans a table in the shoe department of a store in New York on June 22. (Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg News)
The rebound in U.S. retail sales slowed in July by more than expected, indicating a surge in coronavirus cases and still-high unemployment cooled the economic recovery.
August 14, 2020US Jobless Claims Fall More Than Forecast to Pandemic Low
A worker dresses a mannequin at a store in Alabama. (Maranie Staab/Bloomberg News)
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week to the lowest since the pandemic started, in a broad decline across nearly all states, suggesting the labor market is improving.
August 6, 2020US Incomes Fall in June as One-Time Stimulus Boost Fades
Pedestrians wearing masks walk near a Chipotle in San Francisco on July 20. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News)
U.S. incomes fell more than expected in June as the effects of the government’s one-time stimulus checks dissipated, though an increase in unemployment-insurance payments pointed to the importance of expiring federal relief.
July 31, 2020