U.S. productivity up 3.3 percent in spring, labor costs fall
Labor costs fell at a 1.4-percent rate in the second quarter, indicating that wages are not rising even as unemployment declines.
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U.S. consumer spending up moderate 0.3 percent in July
U.S. consumers increased their spending by a moderate amount in July, while income growth was propelled by the largest jump in wages and salaries in eight months.
Report: Economy did better in 2nd quarter than first estimated
The economy expanded at an annual rate of 3.7 percent in the April-June quarter, more than a percentage point greater than the 2.3 percent originally estimated last month, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
S&P takes significant hit amid global stock rout
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell into a correction Monday for the first time since 2011 in one of the most volatile trading days ever, as a rout in global equity markets deepened.
Market plunge driven by fearful investors fizzles in U.S.
A wave of fear triggered by instability in China initially doused U.S. stocks on Monday morning, but then quickly receded by noon.
Unemployment rate holds steady as U.S. adds 215K jobs
Employers added 215,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate held at a seven-year low of 5.3 percent, possible signs of further progress in the U.S. labor market that’s keeping the Federal Reserve on the path toward raising interest rates as soon as next month.
U.S. cuts estimates for economic growth over past three years
The U.S. economy grew more slowly over the past three years than the government had previously estimated, held back by more frugal consumers and steeper spending cuts by state and local governments.
State unemployment rate drops to seven-year low
The state’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent in June, sinking below 5 percent for the first time since February 2008, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Tuesday morning.
Survey: U.S. companies less optimistic about future sales
The overall survey results, compiled by the National Association for Business Economics, portray an economy muddling along at a steady, if tepid, pace.
U.S. adds 223,000 jobs as jobless rate slips to 5.3 percent
The rate fell mostly because many people out of work gave up on their job searches and were no longer counted as unemployed. Average hourly pay was flat.
Applications for unemployment benefits drop near 15-year low
The trend indicates that employers are confident enough in future consumer demand to retain their staffs. The number of people receiving benefits fell 50,000 to 2.22 million.
Economists: Second quarter to be worse than expected
U.S. economic growth in the second quarter is predicted to be far weaker than previously expected and it will prevent the pace of annual growth from exceeding last year's 2.4 percent, according to a forecast by a group of U.S. business economists.
Economy sank 0.7 percent last quarter, revised estimate says
The government’s revised estimate for last quarter, released Friday, was weaker than its initial estimate of 0.2-percent growth. The U.S. trade gap was found to be wider than first estimated. And consumer spending was slower than previously thought.
State’s unemployment rate falls to seven-year low
The state’s unemployment rate fell from 5.8 percent in March to 5.4 percent in April, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced Wednesday.
U.S. consumer prices show slight April increase
U.S. consumer prices were up slightly in April, but overall gains were held back by another decline in energy costs that offset the biggest one-month jump in medical care in eight years.
U.S. retail sales unchanged in April
The retail sales report also raises the possibility that nasty winter weather can't entirely explain the recent lackluster consumer spending in prior months, since the anticipated spring rebound has not materialized.
Ball State architecture program holding its own
Years after the Great Recession battered construction, and consequently the architecture profession, the state’s largest architecture program survived by pitching itself as a top-flight school.
Industrial production posts biggest monthly drop since 2009
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that industrial production—which includes factories, utilities and mines—slid 0.6 percent in March, the biggest drop since a 1.1-percent drop in May 2009.
End of robust hiring streak raises doubts about job market
Last month's subpar hiring could make the Federal Reserve less likely to start raising interest rates from record lows in June, as some have been anticipating. The Fed might now decide that the economy still needs the benefit of low borrowing costs.
Pace of U.S. hiring weakens in March
Employers added only 126,000 jobs, the fewest since December 2013 and snapping a streak of 12 straight months of gains above 200,000. Wage growth remained modest.