Dollar firms as manufacturing data seen supporting Fed rate hikes

  • April 3, 2017
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The dollar firmed moderately against leading rivals Monday ahead of U.S. manufacturing data that’s expected to show little change from recent readings, but likely won’t sway the Federal Reserve from plans to raise interest rates again this year. Accordingly, the dollar’s moves were limited so far.

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Construction spending rebounds in February

  • April 3, 2017
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Construction spending rebounded in February, as builders took advantage of the warm weather to put up more houses. Construction spending rose a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in February, the Commerce Department reported. Though expectations were for a 1% gain, January’s decline was revised upward to now show a 0.5% decline instead of a previously reported 1%

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U.S. trade deficit drops 10% in February

  • April 4, 2017
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The U.S. trade deficit sank almost 10% in February, aided by an increase in exports to a 26-month high and a plunge in imports of autos and cell phones. The deficit fell to $43.6 billion in February, more than canceling out a big increase in January that raised the nation’s trade gap to a five-year

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ISM non-manufacturing index hits 55.2 in March, vs. 57 estimate

  • April 5, 2017
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Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in March for the 87th consecutive month, the Institute of Supply Management reported on Wednesday. The institute’s non-manufacturing index hit 55.2 in March, down from 57.6 in the previous month. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at a slower rate, the group said.

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Pending-home sales lurch lower as inventory tightens further

  • April 27, 2017
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A gauge of pending home sales declined in March as inventory continued to tighten. The National Association of Realtors’ index fell 0.8% to a reading of 111.4, the group said Thursday.

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Fed Minutes: Members Anticipate Changes to Balance Sheet Later This Year

  • April 5, 2017
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Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s March meeting showed members anticipate gradual increases in the benchmark federal fund rate to continue this year while changes to the balance sheet are likely appropriate later in 2017 .

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Initial jobless claims drop 25,000 to 234,000

  • April 6, 2017
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The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week sank by 25,000 to 234,000, marking the second-lowest level of the current economic expansion and reflecting a tight labor market in which firms say it’s hard to find good help. The bulk of the decline took place in the large states of California, New

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Atlanta Fed tracker forecasts paltry 0.2% growth for the first quarter

  • April 27, 2017
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The Atlanta Fed’s tracker for first-quarter growth forecasts a mere 0.2% increase after the latest round of economic data. The 0.2% growth would be the worst showing in three years. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow tracker was previously pointing to 0.5% growth. The Commerce Department releases its first estimate of first-quarter GDP on Friday

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U.S. economy posts slowest growth in three years, first-quarter GDP shows

  • April 28, 2017
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The government’s official scorecard for the U.S. economy pointed to the weakest growth in the first quarter in three years, but the slowdown appeared tied to temporary effects that are likely to give way a rebound in the coming months. Gross domestic product increased at a meager 0.7% annual pace in the first three months

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Consumer confidence hits 97 in April, versus 98 estimate

  • April 28, 2017
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Last month The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index had a final reading of 96.9 for March, with consumers’ attitudes remaining “quite favorable,” data showed. However, the final reading came in below economists’ expectations, disappointing those who had been monitoring the numbers closely.

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