No easy options for China as trade war, U.S. pressure bite
China is running out of options to hit back at the United States without hurting its own interests, as Washington intensifies pressure on Beijing to correct trade imbalances in a challenge to China’s state-led economic model.
US business inventories unchanged in March as sales surge
U.S. business inventories were unchanged in March as sales increased by the most in more than two years, which could ease concerns of a broad build-up in inventories in the economy.
Stronger home sales boost builder confidence in May
The nation’s homebuilders are reporting a rebound in sales, and that’s making them more optimistic about the housing market.
Tame U.S. inflation seen keeping Fed on the sidelines
U.S. consumer prices rose moderately in April and underlying inflation remained muted, supporting the Federal Reserve’s projection of no further interest rates increases this year.
U.S. job openings surge, point to tightening labor market
U.S. job openings rebounded sharply in March, while the pace of hiring was little changed, pointing to a growing worker shortage that could slow employment growth this year.
Navy strike group deployed to send ‘message’ to Iran
The U.S. military is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the Central Command region in the Middle East to send a “clear and unmistakable message” to Iran, national security adviser John Bolton said in a statement Sunday.
Trump, citing slow pace of talks, revives threat to put tariff on all Chinese goods
President Donald Trump on Sunday revived a threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on essentially all Chinese goods in order to prod Beijing into moving more quickly to reach a trade deal.
Wall St. climbs as jobs data supports upbeat economic outlook
U.S. stocks rose in a broad-based rally on Friday as stronger-than-expected job growth in April coupled with muted wage gains left investors upbeat about the outlook for the economy and interest rates.
U.S. first-quarter productivity strongest since 2014, labor costs subdued
U.S. worker productivity increased at its fastest pace in more than four years in the first quarter, depressing labor costs and suggesting inflation could remain benign for a while.
Behind the 1-day cease fire between Donald, Chuck and Nancy
The trio agreed to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure plan — but haven’t worked out how to pay for it.