Dearth of official economic data during the shutdown leads to alternative sources
Policymakers turn to private releases to measure inflation, health of labor market
The federal government shutdown has delayed the release of key data reports on the labor market. That has left analysts, economists and, perhaps most important, the Federal Reserve...
Consumers remain cautiously optimistic after summer shopping spree
Discretionary and recreational spending shows gains
American consumers have shaken off the uncertainty of the year's first half with a summer spending spree that has left many economists revising earlier projections upward.
Tech boosts manufacturing production, but factory job growth still lags
American producers are sending mixed signals
American manufacturers are sending mixed signals heading into the fourth quarter.
Consumers grow more concerned about jobs than inflation
Fears of a layoff near all-time highs
A weakening labor market is making consumers increasingly worried about their continued employment prospects, while higher prices are making it more difficult for some to make ends...
Slower job growth sets the stage for a rate cut
The search for work takes longer as employers add fewer jobs
Recent data releases illustrate a stagnating American labor market, one that is attracting notice from the Federal Reserve.
Labor market slowdown spreads across many states
Deportation policies, retirements and long-term unemployment lead to decline in civilian workforce nationally
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the slowdown in the national labor market that surprised market-watchers earlier this month has been widespread across many s...
Conflicting economic signals confound policymaking
Fed weighs how to respond to rising prices as the labor market slows
As data from July continues to roll out, the economic picture remains muddled.
Consumers slow spending as delinquency rates rise
But household balance sheets remain in relatively good shape
American consumers have become more hesitant to spend, with year-over-year growth in real personal consumption expenditures falling a full percentage point from 3.1% at the end of ...
Evidence of an economic slowdown is piling up
Payrolls remain flat, GDP slows and manufacturers report deteriorating conditions
A batch of high-profile report releases last week confirmed one conclusion: The United States economy is slowing down.
Manufacturers' mood improves as trade talks heat up
Activity turns positive in July across much of the country
American manufacturers’ mood improved for the most part in July, according to a slew of regional Federal Reserve survey releases, marking a reversal from several months of suppress...
Consumers temper their pessimism as a tariff deadline nears
Sentiment improves for the third straight month
A buoyant stock market and a temporary pause in tariff tension helped temper American consumers' pessimism last month, according to a handful of data releases.
Tariff revenue and cuts to education yield a monthly surplus to the government’s coffers
Nation sees year-to-date deficit shrink by 1%
The federal government received more money than it spent in June, according to the U.S. Treasury Department’s monthly statement released last week.
Slower job growth is a demand-and-supply story
Employment remains on stable footing despite signs of weakness
Headline metrics continue to show the American job market on stable footing. However, a more detailed look at the data reveals misleading seasonal signals, sectoral shifts and chan...
Slowing sales ease housing price growth, with prices falling in some places
Prices drop in Sun Belt markets, rise in Northeast and Midwest
An already sluggish for-sale housing market is facing a slower summer, recent data shows.
The Federal Reserve downgrades US growth projections again. It’s not alone.
Global finance organizations weigh uncertainty over trade as tariffs loom
The Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee met last week and decided to keep its target policy interest rate unchanged for its fourth-consecutive meeting.
Policy uncertainty continues to cloud the outlook for inflation
Immigration and budgetary moves could impact prices
Last week’s news that inflation rose less than anticipated cheered market participants who had expected consumer and producer price hikes in reaction to the recent imposition of ta...
Although cracks appear, the labor market holds on
Unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.2%
May’s monthly employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that the American job market is softer than it appears. But it’s likely not soft enough to move the Fe...
Consumers hold on as market volatility and trade policies rattle confidence
Next employment report could be telling
The American consumer remains healthy but hesitant heading into the summer.
Uncertainty and credit concerns slow consumer spending
American consumers show caution as tariff talk heats up
American consumers are hunkering down, a slew of data releases showed last week.
The job market holds up — for now
Hiring surpasses expectations as signs of softening emerge
The American job market surpassed expectations in April, sending stocks soaring while pushing economists’ expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later into the year.