Tariffs Start to Drag on US Economy as Trade Deficit Widens
Fresh data on the U.S. economy show President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war is shaping up as a clear drag on growth this quarter.
US Growth ‘Close to a Peak’ as Trade Spat, Housing Pose Risks
The U.S. economy is booming this quarter as tax cuts power consumers and businesses. Yet risks are mounting that the high will be short-lived.
US Trade Gap Narrows to Seven-Month Low on Record Exports
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to the lowest level since September as exports rose to a record, amid Trump administration tariffs and trade threats that risk hurting global commerce.
Capital-Equipment Orders Rise in Sign of Resilient Demand
Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment rebounded in April even as the prior month’s figure was revised downward, indicating resilient demand at the start of the second quarter, Commerce Department figures showed May 25.
Consumer Comfort Index Declines for Fourth Straight Week
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Decline in Factory Output Shows Manufacturing Leveling Off
An unexpected decline in May factory output after the biggest gain in three years shows U.S. manufacturing is leveling off, Federal Reserve data showed June 15.