• March 16, 2017
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The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s monthly index on regional manufacturers fell to 32.8 in March from 43.3 in February, which was the highest reading in 33 years, according to data released Thursday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected the Philly Fed gauge to pull back to 30 in March

• March 16, 2017
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Construction on new houses climbed 3% in February to the second highest level since 2007, reflecting pentup demand in a steadily growing economy that builders are aiming to address. The pace of so-called housing starts rose to an annual rate of 1.29 million last month, with construction on single-family homes hitting the highest level since

• March 16, 2017
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The Bank of England on Thursday left its key interest rate at a record low 0.25%, meeting widely held expectations. The vote to hold the rate steady was 8-1, with board member Kristen Forbes backing a rate increase. The central bank left unchanged the size of its asset purchase program at £435 billion ($533 billion)

• March 16, 2017
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U.S. government-bond yields rose Thursday as Treasury prices gave back some of the ground gained a day earlier in a sharp rally following the Federal Reserve’s widely anticipated rate increase. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose 1.6 basis points to 2.52%, according to Tradeweb, while the 2-year yield rose 0.8 basis point to

• March 15, 2017
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Wednesday will be all about the Federal Reserve. At 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee will release its latest monetary policy decision, which markets expect will see the central bank take its benchmark interest rate to 0.75%-1% from 0.50%-0.75%. This would be the third interest rate hike from the Fed since

• March 15, 2017
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Alongside the Fed’s latest policy statement, markets will also get an updated set of economic projections from the Fed for GDP and inflation, as well as an updated “dot plot,” which shows where Fed officials expect benchmark interest rates to be in the future. Given the hawkish commentary from Fed officials, we think the dots

• March 15, 2017
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During Chair Yellen’s press conference, we’d expect there to be questions relating to any discussions the Fed has had about economic programs discussed by the Trump administration, notably the $1 trillion infrastructure package Donald Trump touted as recently at February 28. In the past, however, Fed officials have demurred at providing any color around the

• March 15, 2017
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A gauge of New York-area manufacturing remained close to two-year high levels in March, according to data released Wednesday. The Empire State manufacturing survey slipped to 16.4 in March, down only 2.3 points from a two-year high of 18.7 in February, the New York Fed said. Economists had expected a 15.4 reading according to a

• March 15, 2017
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American consumers paid slightly more in February for good and services such as groceries and rent, reflecting upward pressure on inflation that’s intensified since last summer. The consumer price index, or cost of living, rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% last month, the government said Wednesday. It was the smallest increase since last July. Economists

• March 15, 2017
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Most U.S. retailers reported weak sales in February despite unseasonably warm weather, a likely offshoot of delayed tax refunds for millions of households. Sales at retailers nationwide rose a scant 0.1% in February, slowing sharply after big gains in the prior two months, the government reported Wednesday. The increase matched the estimate of economists polled