The number of new claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. increased slightly in the latest week, adding fuel to increasing concern that the labor market and the overall economy is stalling, according to Reuters.
The latest data on weekly jobless claims in the U.S. showed little improvement, adding to growing concern that the labor market recovery could be stalling, according to Reuters.
After slowing sharply in the first three months of the year, consumer spending has slowed even further to open the second quarter, raising questions over the projected trend for economic growth in the coming months, according to Reuters.
New orders for durable goods manufactured in the U.S. dropped by the largest amount in six months to open the second quarter on a steep decline in transportation bookings, according to Reuters.
The growth in the number of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. carried momentum into the second quarter of the year with prices increasing as well, according to Reuters.
The number of new housing starts in the U.S. dropped sharply to open the second quarter, while industrial production growth stalled on steep drop in automobiles and parts, according to Bloomberg.
Prices paid by consumers in the U.S. increased to open the second quarter to reach the highest annual gain in more than a year, although inflation remained well within the official target range, according to Reuters.
Retailers in the U.S. posted only a modest increase in sales during to open the second quarter, as rising food and gas prices weigh on consumer spending, according to The Wall Street Journal.
