Commerce Department

U.S. Economy Shakes off Virus, Surges 6.4%

“We’re at the opening stages of what could be a very strong six to nine months for the U.S. economy as it emerges from the pandemic."

U.S. Factory Orders Climb 0.5% in March

"The response of capital spending to the COVID pandemic is encouraging for the outlook for 2021."

Business Inventories Increase 0.5% in February

February’s gain in the GDP component, which was in line with economists’ expectations, followed a 0.4% advance in January.

U.S. Adds Chinese Tech Firms to Export Blacklist

The Commerce Department says the companies were building supercomputers used by China for "destabilizing military modernization efforts."

Consumer Spending Rebounds With 2.4% Gain

“Government checks did their work, as both income and spending increased dramatically in January."

U.S. Factory Orders Climb 1.1% in December

Manufacturing has been driven by strong demand for factory goods "as 23.7% of the labor force works from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic."

U.S. Economic Growth Slows to 4% in Q4

After the worst year for the economy since at least the end of World War II, economists are still hopeful of a faster recovery in the second half of 2021.

U.S. Trade Gap Hits 14-Year High of $68.1B

Retailers pushed imports of consumer goods to a record as they stocked up for the Christmas holiday season..

Retail Sales Fall 1.1% in Largest Pandemic Drop

“The economy will bounce back strongly in [Q2] as vaccine deployment reaches critical mass but until then it’s going to be a long, bleak winter."

Core Capital Goods Orders Rise 0.7% in October

The continued improvement in the key measure of U.S. business investment suggests manufacturers are optimistic about a return to normalcy next year.

U.S. Housing Starts Increase 4.9% in October

The housing market’s “momentum could slow amid a resurgence in new COVID-19 infections that is putting strain on the economic recovery.”

Retail Sales Growth Slows to 0.3% in October

“It looks like consumer spending is increasingly turning into a headwind for this recovery from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression."