Updates – Macro Trend

The tax cuts and deregulation efforts of President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress led to more sales, hiring and investment, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Average hourly earnings rose 2.9 percent in August as the economy added 201,000 jobs.

U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated to more than a 14-year high in August, boosted by a surge in new orders, but growing concerns over rising raw material costs as a result of import tariffs could restrain further growth.

U.S. construction spending barely rose in July as increases in homebuilding and investment in public projects were overshadowed by a sharp drop in private nonresidential outlays.

U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July, pointing to strong economic growth early in the third quarter, while a measure of underlying inflation hit the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target for the third time this year.

Businesses spent more on software than previously estimated in the second quarter and the nation also imported less petroleum.

Consumer confidence pops in August to highest level since October 2000

Retail sales of new vehicles in the United States are expected to rise 1.3 percent in August from a year earlier to record their largest gain so far this year, industry consultants JD Power and LMC Automotive said on Monday.

Orders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods were expected to drop 0.5 percent in July, after rising 0.8 percent a month earlier.

U.S. retail sales were forecast to edged up 0.1 percent in July, after climbing 0.5 percent a month earlier.