Business Inventories Flat in March; Sales Down Sharply
U.S. business inventories were unchanged in March for a second straight month, while business sales fell the most since June.
commerce department
Wholesale Inventories Rise in March as Sales Fall Sharply
Wholesale businesses stepped up their restocking of supplies in March, but their sales fell sharply, a government report shows.
Obama Nominates Pritzker, Froman for Economic Jobs
President Barack Obama has nominated Mike Froman and Penny Pritzker for the last two vacant Cabinet slots on his economic team.
Wholesalers Cut Stockpiles to Lowest Level in 17 Months
U.S. wholesalers cut their restocking in February by the most in 17 months. But their sales jumped, suggesting companies underestimated consumer demand.
GDP Report: U.S. Economy Expands at 0.4% Rate
The economy grew at a slightly faster but still anemic rate at the end of last year. There's hope that growth accelerated in early 2013, despite higher taxes and spending cuts.
Demand for Durable Goods Rises Sharply in February
A surge in commercial aircraft demand pushed orders for U.S. long-lasting manufactured goods up sharply in February, the Commerce Department reports.
Housing Starts Rise to Highest Level in Nearly 5 Years
U.S. builders started more houses and apartments in February and obtained permits for future construction at the fastest pace in nearly five years, a new report shows.
U.S. New-Home Sales Jump to Highest in 4.5 Years
U.S. new-home sales jumped in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008, a sign that the housing recovery is accelerating. New-home sales rose nearly 16 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 437,000, the largest percentage increase in nearly 20 years.
U.S. Factory Orders Rose 1.8% in December, but Signals Are Mixed
U.S. factory orders increased 1.8 percent in December, but demand for core capital goods, a category considered a proxy for business investment plans, dipped 0.3 percent in December following strong gains in November and October.
U.S. Factory Orders Likely to Indicate Strengthening Economy
U.S. factory orders likely rose 2 percent in December, and a preliminary report on durable manufactured goods suggests that business investment plans increased for the third straight month.
Consumer Spending Up 0.2%, but Income Has Best Gain in 8 Years
U.S. consumers increased their spending in December at a slower pace, while their income grew by the largest amount in eight years, the Commerce Department said. Income surged because companies rushed to pay dividends before income taxes increased on high-earners.
U.S. GDP Shrinks for First Time Since End of Great Recession
The U.S. economy shrank from October through December for the first time since the recession ended, hurt by the biggest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.
US Durable Goods Orders Up 0.7 Percent
U.S. companies increased their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in November, with a second consecutive monthly gain in a key category that reflects businesses' investment plans.
Consumer Spending, Personal Income Up in November
Consumers spent and earned more in November, reflecting a rebound from the disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy. The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 0.4 percent compared with October. Personal income jumped 0.6 percent, the biggest gain in 11 months.
U.S. Consumer Spending Rose 0.8 Percent in September
Americans increased their spending in September at twice the rate that their income grew, a sign of confidence in the economy. Still, consumers made up the difference by saving less for a third straight month, a troubling trend.