U.S. Economy

The labor shortage is deepening across the country, at firms of all sizes.

Strong consumer spending helped fire up economic growth in the second quarter.

Claims have now declined for three straight weeks.

Eighty percent of firms are having trouble finding hourly craft employees.

Home sales have stumbled in recent months despite the robust job market.

Consumer spending and business investment propelling economic growth.

Just how good has the notoriously quiet month been?

Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.

Mortgage rates are also higher than a year ago, creating another price pressure for would-be buyers.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on the trade deal reached between the U.S. and Mexico.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on the trade deal with Mexico.

The new trade pact will be called “The United States-Mexico Trade Agreement."

A new contract will be voted on by union members next month.

Board dissolves three-member committee set up to assess possible go-private transaction.

The Dow was up by triple digits, while the Nasdaq and S&P hit record highs.

Attempts to form a new pact faltered numerous times between the countries

Investors will be closely watching to see if the Federal Reserve’s planned interest rate hikes may be dialed back.

The sector has been plagued by rising building material costs and shortages of land and labor, which have put a squeeze on the supply of houses available for sale and kept house prices elevated.

The company notes of “further adjustments.”

It was the third straight week of declines for claims.