• February 14, 2018
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Sales at U.S. retailers fell by 0.3% in January — the biggest drop in almost a year — largely because of declines at auto dealers and home centers. And a previously reported increase in sales in December was wiped out. Economists had forecast a 0.2% increase in sales. Excluding autos, retail sales were flat last

• February 14, 2018
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Treasury yields rose after a stronger-than-expected rise in the January consumer price index Wednesday. The 10-year note yield climbed 2.2 basis points to 2.862%, after sitting as low as 2.819%. The 2-year note yield was up 2.1 basis points to 2.127%, while the 30-year bond yield rose 0.8 basis points to 3.136%. Consumer price index

• February 14, 2018
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The consumer price index leaped 0.5% in January to mark the biggest increase in five months. The cost of rent, clothes, gasoline, health care and auto insurance all rose. Economists surveyed had forecast a 0.4% increase. Higher consumer prices in January, however, did not substantially alter the overall picture on inflation. The increase in the

• February 8, 2018
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Initial U.S. jobless claims fell by 9,000 to 221,000 in the seven days ended Feb 3. Economists surveyed forecast a 235,000 reading. The more stable monthly average of claims declined by 10,000 to 224,500, the government said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since March 1973. The number of people already collecting unemployment benefits, known as

• February 6, 2018
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Janet Yellen’s tenure as the chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors is now officially over. On Monday, Jerome Powell took the oath of office and was sworn in as the next Fed chair.

• February 6, 2018
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The U.S. trade deficit in December and for the full year both rose to the highest levels since 2008, complicating efforts by President Trump to fulfill his vow to reduce the gap. The deficit in December rose 5.3% to a $53.1 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Economists polled had forecast a $52.2 billion gap.

• February 2, 2018
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The U.S. created 200,000 new jobs in the first month of 2018, showing that companies are still hungry to hire more than eight years after an economic expansion began. Even better, worker pay also rose at the fastest yearly pace since 2009. The increase in hiring exceeded Wall Street’s forecast. Economists polled by MarketWatch had

• February 2, 2018
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With the pickup in global economic growth, central banks — except for Japan’s — are shifting to tightening from extremely easy money, including massive quantitative easing and trivial, if not negative, short-term interest rates. The Federal Reserve has raised its target for the federal funds rate five times since December 2015 and is suggesting three

• February 2, 2018
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The U.S. generated 200,000 new jobs in January and yearly wage growth hit an eight-and-a-half-year high, highlighting the strongest labor market in two decades. Economists polled by MarketWatch had predicted a 190,000 increase in nonfarm jobs. The unemployment rate was unchanged at a 17-year low of 4.1%. The big news was a strong gain in

• February 1, 2018
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The Commerce Department reported a 0.7% gain in construction spending in December, and a 2.6% advance over the last 12 months. That’s the fifth monthly gain in a row and a record high. November’s previously reported 0.8% gain was revised lower to show a 0.6% increase.