The Fed mulls how to boost economic growth: Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank’s Esther George

  • August 24, 2017
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  • realestatelife

Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George, along with other members of the U.S. Federal Reserve, have spoken publicly about their concerns over wages failing to rise at a faster pace given the tight labor market. Economic growth in the U.S. is averaging 2% a quarter since the Great Recession, but historical averages, according

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U.S. jobless claims inch up from six-month low

  • August 24, 2017
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The number of people who applied for U.S. unemployment-insurance benefits inched up by 2,000 to 234,000 in the week that ended Aug. 19, after hitting a six–month low in the prior week, according to Labor Department data released Thursday.

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Manufacturing, service ‘flash’ PMI readings split direction in August

  • August 23, 2017
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  • realestatelife

The service and manufacturing sectors went in different directions in August, according to data released Wednesday. The IHS Markit flash manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to a two-month low of 52.5 from 53.3 in July, while the services PMI rose to a 28-month high of 56.9, up from 54.7 in July. Any reading above 50

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Consumer sentiment beats expectations in August

  • August 18, 2017
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The consumer sentiment index rose to 97.6 in August, in a survey of consumers by The University of Michigan. U.S. consumer sentiment was expected to reach 94, according economists surveyed by Reuters. The index, which measures the confidence in future economic prospects, hit 93.1 in July.

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Philadelphia Fed factory gauge eases but hints at future strength in August

  • August 17, 2017
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The factory activity survey from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve fell to 18.9 from 19.5, the regional bank said. Economists had expected a steeper decline, to 17.0. But the report’s details were stronger than the headline. The new orders gauge surged to 20.4 from 2.1, signalling stronger growth in the future, and the measure of shipments

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U.S. jobless claims fall to six-month low of 232,000

  • August 17, 2017
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The number of Americans who sought unemployment benefits in mid-August fell to the lowest level in six months, mirroring the strongest U.S. labor market in almost two decades. Initial jobless claims in the period running from Aug. 6 to Aug. 12 declined by 12,000 to 232,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level

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Some Fed members say bank can be ‘patient’ on interest rates due to low inflation

  • August 17, 2017
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The Federal Reserve engaged in an intense debate in July about the path of U.S. inflation after a spate of surprisingly low readings, raising questions about whether the central bank will raise interest rates again this year. The Fed’s policy-setting group appeared more unified on a plan to announce in September a long-awaited drawdown of

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Housing starts stumble in July as new-home construction churns gradually higher

  • August 16, 2017
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Builders broke ground on fewer homes in July, but new-home construction continues to grind slowly and steadily higher, supporting a gradually improving housing market. Housing starts ran at a 1.16 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That’s 4.8% below June’s pace, and 5.6% lower compared to a year ago.

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Home builder sentiment roars back as buyers turn out in force

  • August 15, 2017
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Sentiment among homebuilders rebounded in August after tumbling to an 8-month low in the prior month, according to an industry report out Tuesday. The monthly confidence gauge from the National Association of Home Builders jumped four points to a reading of 68.

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U.S. retail sales soar in July to 7-month high

  • August 15, 2017
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Sales at retailers nationwide jumped 0.6% last month, the government said Tuesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast a 0.4% increase. A mysterious decline in spending at the end of the second quarter, meanwhile, vanished after fresh government revisions based on newly incorporated sales data. Retail sales actually rose 0.3% in June instead of falling

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