WASHINGTON — Americans spent a bit more at retailers last month, providing a small boost to the economy just as the Federal Reserve considers how much to cut its key interest rate. Retail sales ticked up 0.1% from July to […]
US retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience Read More »
Borrowers have waited years for a sign of relief from high interest rates for everything from credit card loans to mortgages. The wait may come to an end this week. Investors widely expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates
What to know about a possible rate cut this week Read More »
WASHINGTON — Americans’ outlook on the economy improved for the second straight month in September, bolstered by lower prices for long-lasting goods such as cars and furniture. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index ticked up to 69 in its
US consumer sentiment ticks higher for second month but remains subdued Read More »
Slightly more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain at historically low levels despite two years of elevated interest rates. Jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 230,000 for the week of Sept. 7, the Labor Department reported
US filings for unemployment benefits inch up slightly but remain historically low Read More »
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale price increases mostly slowed last month, the latest evidence that inflation pressures are cooling enough for the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates next week. The Labor Department said Thursday that its producer price index
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week as layoffs remain relatively low despite other signs of labor market cooling. Jobless claims fell by 5,000 to 227,000 for the week of Aug. 31, the Labor Department reported
WASHINGTON — Laid off by the music streaming service Spotify last year, Joovay Arias figured he’d land another job as a software engineer fairly soon. His previous job search, in 2019, had been a breeze. “Back then,” he said, “I
Americans who have a job are feeling secure. Not so for many who are looking for one Read More »
Dollar Tree is slashing its full-year earnings and sales forecasts as its customers continue to struggle with higher prices and spend less. Shares tumbled more than 20% Wednesday after hitting a 52-week low on the prior day. The biggest one-day
Even dollar store chains see spending pullback as higher prices squeeze more Americans Read More »
WASHINGTON — When Jerome Powell delivered a high-profile speech last month, the Federal Reserve chair came the closest he ever had to declaring that the inflation surge that gripped the nation for three painful years was now essentially defeated. And
The Fed welcomes a ‘soft landing’ even if many Americans don’t feel like cheering Read More »
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew last quarter at a healthy 3% annual pace, fueled by strong consumer spending and business investment, the government said Thursday in an upgrade of its initial assessment. The Commerce Department had previously estimated that
US economic growth for last quarter is revised up to a solid 3% annual rate Read More »
