Commerce Department

March Retail Sales Wrap Solid First Quarter for Consumer Spending
March Retail Sales Wrap Solid First Quarter for Consumer Spending
April 15, 2024  |  Economy

The old adage goes, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” However, for consumer spending, it looks like March came...

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As GDP Growth Decelerates, All Eyes Are on Consumer Spending
As GDP Growth Decelerates, All Eyes Are on Consumer Spending
February 28, 2024  |  Economy

The latest readings of gross domestic product (GDP) have been revised down — at least a bit. And though the fourth-quarter GDP still logged some...

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Headline Inflation Cools, But Food Prices Still Climbed in December
Headline Inflation Cools, But Food Prices Still Climbed in December
January 26, 2024  |  Economy

Taken as a whole, the Commerce Department’s latest reading on inflation shows a dip below a key psychological level.  The Personal Consumption Index, as released Friday...

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GDP Increased 3.1% in 2023 as Consumers Kept Spending
GDP Increased 3.1% in 2023 as Consumers Kept Spending
January 25, 2024  |  Economy

America’s economy grew 3.1% in 2023 amid continued consumer spending on vehicles and electronics. That’s according to figures released Thursday (Jan. 25) by the Commerce Department,...

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Falling Prices Point to Soft Landing for Economy
Falling Prices Point to Soft Landing for Economy
December 22, 2023  |  Economy

The latest data from the Commerce Department reportedly adds to the indicators that inflation in the United States is approaching the Federal Reserve’s target. In...

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Fed: Smaller Banks Report Pressure on Commercial Loan Demand
Fed: Smaller Banks Report Pressure on Commercial Loan Demand
November 30, 2023  |  Economy

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book — released eight times a year — collects qualitative observations about current economic conditions across the central bank’s dozen districts....

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Disposable Personal Income Growth Lags Pace of Inflation
Disposable Personal Income Growth Lags Pace of Inflation
October 27, 2023  |  Economy

Inflation is strong. Consumer spending is strong. Disposable income growth isn’t keeping pace. And personal saving as a percentage of disposable income is declining. To...

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Summer Spending Surge Fuels 4.9% Jump in GDP
Summer Spending Surge Fuels 4.9% Jump in GDP
October 26, 2023  |  Economy

Strong consumer spending this summer helped drive economic growth in the U.S. Figures released Thursday (Oct. 26) by the U.S. Commerce Department showed gross domestic product (GDP) increasing at...

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US Durable Goods Orders Climb as Consumer Confidence Falls
US Durable Goods Orders Climb as Consumer Confidence Falls
September 27, 2023  |  Economy

U.S. durable goods orders climbed unexpectedly in August, per new government data. The Commerce Department announced Wednesday (Sept. 27) that orders for these long-lasting goods rose 0.2% last...

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