Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment snapped back in February after two months of declines, consistent with steady manufacturing growth, a Commerce Department report showed March 23.

The global economy’s upswing showed signs of strain in March as a drop in momentum at businesses from Japan to the euro region underscored the world’s vulnerability to confidence shocks from a trade war.

U.S. filings for unemployment insurance crept higher while the number of Americans on benefit rolls fell to the lowest level since 1973 in another indication of a tight job market, Labor Department figures showed March 22.

Americans’ outlook for the economy climbed in March for a third straight month to match the highest level since 2002, data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed March 22.

U.S. factory production bounced back in February, far exceeding analyst estimates and showing a key part of the economy is on track for steady growth this quarter, Federal Reserve data showed March 16.

U.S. new-home construction cooled by more than expected in February on a reversal in the volatile multifamily category, while building remained on pace to contribute to economic growth this quarter, government figures showed March 16.

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits fell for the third time in four weeks and remain near the lowest level in 48 years, underscoring tightness in the job market, Labor Department figures showed March 14.

U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in February for a third month, adding to signs that consumer spending will cool this quarter from the previous period’s hot pace, according to Commerce Department figures released March 14.

The U.S. labor market still has plenty of room to run. That’s the message from government data on March 9, which gave multiple indications America’s jobs situation isn’t as tight as previously thought, sending stocks and bond yields higher.

A full-blown trade war could cost the global economy $470 billion, according to Bloomberg Economics.