Commerce Department

Retail Sales Jump Counters Recession Fears

Sales increased 0.7% in July, "a reassuring sign for a U.S. economy that’s facing mounting hurdles."

Key Investment Measure Surges 1.9% in June

"The trend in durable goods orders remains decidedly weak" amid worries about a global growth slowdown and trade tensions.

U.S. Housing Starts Decline in June

The housing market continues to struggle despite lower mortgage rates.

U.S. Trade Deficit Jumps to Five-Month High

Trade tensions between the United States and China continue to spur volatility.

U.S. Factory Orders Decline 0.8% in April

“We expect further bumps along the road for manufacturing as a slowing global economy and escalating tariffs on major U.S. trading partners pose headwinds."

U.S. Consumer Spending Surges 0.9% in March

“The economy is in a sweet spot for now," with inflation pressures remaining too weak for the Fed to raise interest rates.

U.S. Economy Posts Surprise 3.2% GDP Gain

GDP got a boost in Q1 from a sharp decline in imports but economists warn that underlying spending and investment data point to slowing growth.

U.S. Housing Starts Fall to Near 2-Year Low

“Waiting for construction activity to pick up after a sharp drop in mortgage rates is like waiting for Godot."

U.S. Retail Sales Take Surprising Dip in February

The measure of consumer spending fell 0.2% after a 1.2% gain in January, signaling tepid economic growth for the first quarter.

U.S. Current Account Deficit Grows to $134.4B

The 6.1% increase in the fourth-quarter took the deficit to the highest level in 10 years and topped analysts' forecasts of a $130.0 billion shortfall.

Factory Orders Tick Up Modestly

Shipments of factory goods fell for the fourth consecutive month.

Key Investment Measure Gains 0.8% in January

Core capital goods orders rebounded from a sharp drop in December, suggesting the slowdown in business investment may be shallow.