Americans’ sentiment fell for a fourth straight week as still-rising gasoline prices drove a measure of the buying climate down by the most in eight months, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed May 17.
May 17, 2018GovernmentBusiness
Trump’s China Tariffs Will Pinch US Consumers, Retailers Warn
Americans will pay more for everything from big-screen TVs to school supplies if the Trump administration follows through on threats to slap tariffs on Chinese imports, U.S. retailers warned.
May 16, 2018Business
Factory Production Shows Broad-Based Gain Outside Autos
U.S. factory production regained its footing in April to push capacity utilization to the highest since 2015, indicating the industry will support economic growth this quarter, Federal Reserve data showed Mahy 16.
May 16, 2018Business
Retail Sales Gain Points to Healthier Second Quarter
U.S. retail sales rose in broad fashion last month as bigger after-tax paychecks helped compensate for rising fuel costs, signaling consumer demand was off to a firm start this quarter.
May 15, 2018Government
US Posts Record Monthly Budget Surplus as Economy Picks Up
The United States posted its largest monthly budget surplus on record in April, which the Congressional Budget Office said reflected stronger economic activity over the past year.
May 10, 2018Business
Consumer Prices Rise Less Than Forecast as Autos Drop
U.S. consumer prices rose by less than forecast in April as costs for automobiles and airfares declined, reducing chances that inflation will run significantly above the Federal Reserve’s target in coming months.
May 10, 2018Business
American Factories Struggle to Increase Productivity
The United States has added 1.2 million jobs in manufacturing over the past eight years. Before you cheer for the revival of American manufacturing, consider the reason for all that job growth: abysmal productivity performance.
May 9, 2018Business
US Job Openings at Record, Almost Matching Unemployed Workers
U.S. job openings surged to a record in March, putting vacancies at about par with the number of unemployed workers, Labor Department data showed May 8.
May 8, 2018Business
US Services Firms Grow in April at Slowest Pace This Year
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.
May 4, 2018GovernmentBusiness
US Payrolls Rebound to 164,000 Gain; Jobless Rate Hits 3.9%
U.S. hiring rebounded in April, and the unemployment rate dropped below 4% for the first time since 2000, while wage gains unexpectedly cooled, suggesting the labor market still has slack to absorb. Payrolls rose 164,000 after an upwardly revised 135,000 advance, Labor Department figures showed May 4.
May 4, 2018