Coronavirus

Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance rose slightly for the first time since late April, likely a temporary blip for a labor market that’s otherwise improving as the economy reopens.

U.S. retail sales declined in May, after a stimulus-related splurge in the prior two months, suggesting consumers are starting to shift more of their spending to services as the economy reopens.

Brazil and Mexico are beginning to emerge from the pandemic and that’s boosting demand for road fuel in economies that buy more U.S. gasoline and diesel than any other foreign nation.

Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance fell for a sixth straight week, consistent with further improvement in the labor market and robust economic growth.

Economists, blindsided by a major miss in April’s U.S. employment report, are now ready for any number of surprises.

Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance dipped below 400,000 for the first time during the pandemic as hiring accelerates and the economy strengthens heading into the summer months.

Republican senators outlined a $928 billion infrastructure proposal May 27 that would tap unused coronavirus aid, a counteroffer to President Joe Biden’s more sweeping plan as the two sides struggle to negotiate a bipartisan compromise and remain far apart on how to pay for the massive spending.

Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance fell for a fourth consecutive week as more Americans get vaccinated and businesses reopen to eager customers.

U.S. consumer confidence fell slightly in May for the first time this year as Americans were less optimistic about future job and income prospects but at the same time remain upbeat about current conditions.

The nationwide lockdowns brought on by the pandemic cleared the roads of many passenger vehicles and helped truckers keep goods moving. However, as passenger cars gradually return, industry experts are considering how those pandemic-era roads affected safety and how drivers will respond once they start getting crowded again.