Economic Indicators

The U.S. economy contracted at a rate of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to an estimate released on Wednesday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The figure reported on Wednesday is well below economists’ estimates of 115,000 jobs and also down sharply from the prior month’s reading of 155,000 jobs.

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index declined to its lowest level in five years in April, marking five months of declines and reaching levels not seen since COVID.

The Holy See, which governs the Vatican City, generates money in a variety of ways, including through donations from around the world as well as tourism.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell this week to 6.81%, according to the latest Freddie Mac data released on Thursday. That's up from last week's reading of 6.83%.

Home sales dropped 5.9% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million units, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday morning.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book found that businesses around the U.S. are seeing costs rise due to tariffs, which will largely be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

U.S. investment under President Donald Trump's administration has reached more than $5 trillion, and is expected to generate hundreds-of-thousands of jobs.

The New York Federal Reserve's consumer expectations survey found Americans are lowering their expectations for starting wages at a new job compared with November 2024.

The International Monetary Fund released its world economic outlook which cut the economic growth forecast for the U.S. due to trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

Allianz economists are forecasting that the unemployment will rise to 5% by early 2026, though mass layoffs aren't expected as inflation raises consumer prices due to Trump's tariffs.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose this week to 6.83%, according to the latest Freddie Mac data released on Thursday. That's up from last week's reading of 6.62%.

Retail sales rose in March as consumers stepped up purchases of durable goods like vehicles in an effort to beat anticipated price hikes after tariffs were implemented in April.

Toy costs are expected to rise by the fall, one expert says, as a result of Chinese tariffs. But last month, some U.S. toy companies said they are benefitting.

The New York Federal Reserve's new survey of consumer expectations found Americans are more pessimistic about the labor market amid concerns over rising unemployment.

Trader Joe's launched a limited-time line of mini canvas tote bags and its causing another buying frenzy. Lines have wrapped around stores across the nation.

Everyday Americans weigh in on whether or not they have faith in Trump's tariffs against the world's biggest economic powers and his negotiating skills.

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey showed a sharp decline this month amid President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have spurred higher inflation expectations.

Water bills are on the rise and it could cause more cash-strapped households to fall into "water debt," according to a recent report from the Bank of America Institute.

Mortgage rates ticked slightly lower this week to 6.62%, according to the latest Freddie Mac data released on Thursday. That's down from last week's reading of 6.64%.