U.S. factories received fewer orders for business equipment than forecast in February, just before the coronavirus-related demand shock that will likely lead a massive pullback in corporate investment.

Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment increased in January by the most in a year, representing a respite in the corporate investment slowdown that weighed on the economy last year.

U.S. retail sales strengthened in December, thanks to a late holiday-shopping rush that wrapped up a more moderate year of spending at the nation’s merchants.

A gauge of underlying U.S. inflation rose less than forecast in December, restrained in part by a deceleration in shelter costs and underscoring the Federal Reserve’s view that price pressures are muted.

American consumers are more upbeat about the economy than at any time in more than a year against a backdrop of steady job gains and record stock prices.

Sentiment among American consumers posted a surprise jump in October amid expectations for rising incomes and lower inflation, indicating households will continue to extend the longest-running U.S. expansion.

Growth at U.S. service industries in August comfortably topped expectations on the sharpest monthly rebound in business activity since early 2008, favorable figures that were tempered by a slowdown in hiring.

The tightest trucking market in years is testing the limits of an otherwise well-conditioned U.S. economic expansion. It also is tinder for accelerating inflation should the capacity constraints spark moves by companies to pass on those higher delivery costs.

Rising prices at the gas pump helped drive U.S. household sentiment to a seven-week low at the end of April, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed May 3.

Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment snapped back in February after two months of declines, consistent with steady manufacturing growth, a Commerce Department report showed March 23.