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US retail sales fell 0.9% last month after a downwardly revised 0.1% dip in April, new figures show today

US retail sales fall sharply in May

US retail sales dropped more than expected in May, weighed down by a decline in motor vehicle purchases as a rush to beat potential tariffs-related price hikes ebbed, but consumer spending remained supported by solid wage growth.

Business • 17 Jun

Initial claims for US state unemployment benefits held steady at a seasonally adjusted 248,000 for the week ended June 7, new figures show today

US weekly jobless claims steady at higher levels

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits was unchanged at higher levels last week as labour market conditions continued to steadily ease.

Business • 12 Jun

The US consumer price index came in at 2.4% after a 2.3% reading in April, new figures show today

US inflation edges up as tariffs flow through economy

US consumer inflation ticked up in May, in line with analyst expectations, government data showed today as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs began to ripple through the world's biggest economy.

Business • 11 Jun

Hiring in the world's largest economy came in at 139,000 last month, slowing from April's level which was revised downwards to 147,000, said the Labour Department

US job market resilient in May despite Trump tariffs

The United States added more jobs than analysts expected in May even as hiring cooled, government data showed today, a resilient showing amid growing scrutiny over the effects of US President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs

Business • 06 Jun

The OECD has warned that trade tensions and uncertainty will stifle the world economy this year

OECD cuts global 2025 growth forecast to 2.9% on tariffs

The OECD has slashed its annual global growth forecast today, warning that US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz will stifle the world economy - hitting the US especially hard.

Business • 03 Jun

Consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity in the US

US consumer spending slows in April, inflation edges up

US consumer spending increased marginally in April as a rush to beat higher prices from import duties slowed.

Business • 30 May

President Donald Trump's sweeping import duties have cast a shadow over the US economy

US corporate profits decrease sharply in first quarter

US corporate profits fell sharply in the first quarter and could continue to be squeezed this year by higher costs from tariffs that are threatening to undercut the economic expansion.

Business • 29 May

The US lost its last triple-A credit rating from Moody's on Friday

The 'triple A' sovereign bond club has shrunk

The group of governments whose bonds get the highest ranking just got smaller, after the US lost its last triple-A credit rating from Moody's.

Business • 19 May

Overall US retail sales nudged up 0.1% to $724.1 billion last month, new figures show today

US retail sales little changed in April as consumers wary

Retail sales in the US were near-flat in April, government data showed today, held back by car sales and those at gasoline stations, while consumers remained jittery about President Donald Trump's economic policies.

Business • 15 May

Fed holds rates steady on risks of higher inflation

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this evening but said the risks of both higher inflation and unemployment had risen, further clouding the economic outlook as it grapples with the impact of Trump administration tariff policies.

Business • 07 May

WK Kellogg said it now expects full-year organic net sales to now decrease between 2% and 3%

WK Kellogg cuts annual sales and profit forecasts

WK Kellogg has cut its annual organic sales and core profit forecasts after consumer spending weakened on its higher-priced products including Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks cereals.

Business • 06 May

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 177,000 jobs last month after rising by a downwardly revised 185,000 in March

US job growth slows marginally in April

US job growth slowed marginally in April, but the outlook for the labour market is increasingly darkening as President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy heightens economic uncertainty.

Business • 02 May

94-year-old billionaire Warren Buffett will mark 60 years in charge this weekend of what he has built into a $1.15 trillion conglomerate

Berkshire outguns market, Buffett hits 60 year in charge

Berkshire Hathaway has held up well in a rocky year for stocks, and shareholders this weekend will be seeking reassurance from Warren Buffett that they remain in good hands as tariff turmoil disrupts corporate America.

Business • 01 May

Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity, surged 0.7% last month

US consumer spending surges in March, inflation cools

US consumer spending increased solidly in March as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles to avoid higher prices and shortages due to tariffs, but that did little to change economists' views that the economy had shifted into lower gear.

Business • 30 Apr

Motor vehicle manufacturers reported a big jump in auto sales in March, attributed by some to a rush by buyers "to try and beat the tariffs."

US retail sales surge in March due to rising car sales

US retail sales surged in March as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles ahead of tariffs, though concerns about the economic outlook are hurting discretionary spending.

Business • 16 Apr

The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 50.8 this month from a final reading of 57.0 in March

US consumer sentiment deteriorates sharply in April

US consumer sentiment deteriorated sharply in April and 12-month inflation expectations surged to the highest level since 1981 amid unease over escalating trade tensions.

Business • 11 Apr

US banks entered 2025 with a bullish outlook, backed by a resilient economy.

Wells Fargo beats profit estimates but CEO issues warning

Wells Fargo's profit rose 6% in the first quarter as the bank cut costs and set aside less money to cover potential loan losses, but its CEO warned on Friday that US tariffs risk slowing economic growth.

Business • 11 Apr

Shares of the biggest US bank climbed about 3% before the open

JPMorgan's profit jumps on record stock trading

JPMorgan Chase topped first-quarter profit estimates today, driven by record equities trading and higher fees from debt underwriting and merger advisory.

Business • 11 Apr

US inflation advanced 2.4% in the 12 months to March after rising 2.8% in February, new figures show

US consumer prices unexpectedly fall in March

US consumer prices unexpectedly fell in March, but inflation risks are tilted to the upside after President Donald Trump doubled down on tariffs on imported Chinese goods even as he lowered duties on other nations.

Business • 10 Apr

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned yesterday that trade wars could have lasting negative consequences, including inflation and recession

US bank earnings may be overshadowed by recession fears

As US lenders begin to report earnings this week, investors' focus will likely shift from profits to bank bosses' remarks on the economy after President Donald Trump unveiled steep tariffs and triggered a market selloff.

Business • 08 Apr

US consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity

US consumer spending rises in February

US consumer spending rebounded in February, likely lifted by higher prices, which could amplify fears that the economy was facing a period of tepid growth and high inflation amid an escalation in trade tensions.

Business • 28 Mar

The US - the world's biggest economy - grew at an annual rate of 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from a previous estimate of 2.3%

US Q4 GDP revised upwards but tariff worries linger

The US economy expanded at a slightly faster pace than estimated in the final three months last year, according to government data released today, but uncertainty over President Donald Trump's economic policies clouds the outlook.

Business • 27 Mar

President Donald Trump's on- and-off again tariffs have been panned by economists for sowing confusion and uncertainty.

US consumer sentiment tumbles to four-year low

US consumer confidence plunged to the lowest level in more than four years in March, with households fearing a recession in the future and higher inflation because of tariffs.

Business • 25 Mar

The US consumer price index rose 0.2% last month after accelerating 0.5% in January, new figures show today

US consumer price growth slows in February

US consumer prices increased less than expected in February, but the improvement is likely temporary against the backdrop of aggressive tariffs on imports that are expected to raise the costs of most goods in the months ahead.

Business • 12 Mar

Trump declines to rule out 2025 US recession

US President Donald Trump declined over the weekend to rule out the possibility that the US might enter a recession this year.

Business • 10 Mar

Us Economy

US retail sales fall sharply in May

US weekly jobless claims steady at higher levels

US inflation edges up as tariffs flow through economy

US job market resilient in May despite Trump tariffs

OECD cuts global 2025 growth forecast to 2.9% on tariffs

US consumer spending slows in April, inflation edges up

US corporate profits decrease sharply in first quarter

The 'triple A' sovereign bond club has shrunk

US retail sales little changed in April as consumers wary

Fed holds rates steady on risks of higher inflation

WK Kellogg cuts annual sales and profit forecasts

US job growth slows marginally in April

Berkshire outguns market, Buffett hits 60 year in charge

US consumer spending surges in March, inflation cools

US retail sales surge in March due to rising car sales

US consumer sentiment deteriorates sharply in April

Wells Fargo beats profit estimates but CEO issues warning

JPMorgan's profit jumps on record stock trading

US consumer prices unexpectedly fall in March

US bank earnings may be overshadowed by recession fears

US consumer spending rises in February

US Q4 GDP revised upwards but tariff worries linger

US consumer sentiment tumbles to four-year low

US consumer price growth slows in February

Trump declines to rule out 2025 US recession