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, 2018American 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, 2018US 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, 2018US 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, 2018US 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, 2018Trade Gap Narrows to $49 Billion; Drop of $8.8 Billion Biggest Since 2009
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in March by the most in two years, while last week’s unemployment filings were below estimates and productivity gains remained lukewarm in the first quarter. Here’s what you need to know from the economic reports out the morning of May 3.
May 3, 2018Trump Administration Softens Expectations for a US-China Trade Deal This Week
The Trump administration sought to temper expectations for a swift breakthrough on trade issues with China as a delegation of senior U.S. officials prepares to visit Beijing this week.
May 1, 2018US Factory Managers Concerned About Effects of Trump’s Tariffs
Very concerning. Two products eliminated. Commodity prices rising. Business planning “is at a standstill.” That’s what a few American manufacturers said they’re facing as the Trump administration weighs tariffs on imported metals and Chinese products, creating uncertainty for companies that by most other accounts are going gangbusters.
May 1, 2018Trump’s China Tariffs Risk Costing US Jobs, New Study Shows
President Donald Trump said his trade actions may cause “a little pain” in the short term, and a new study shows U.S. agricultural workers could be hurt the most.
May 1, 2018US Economy Hits Milestone as Fed Tries to Keep Growth Rolling
With the calendar’s turn from April to May, the U.S. economic expansion has become the nation’s second-longest on record.
May 1, 2018