Economic indicators

The value of new factory orders saw a 1.6% increase in March, up seven of the last eight months.

The U.S. services sector expanded at a slower pace in April as the non-manufacturing index fell to 56.8 from 58.8 in March.

The U.S. international trade gap narrowed to $49.0 billion in March from $57.7 billion in February, data released by the Commerce Department Thursday morning showed.

First quarter nonfarm productivity rose by 0.7%, a slightly smaller gain than the 0.9% rise expected.

Initial claims U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by only 2,000 to 211,000 in the April 28 week, well below the 225,000 level expected by analysts.

The New York economy continues to expand.

Private-sector employment increased by 204,000 in April, on a seasonally adjusted basis, ADP estimated Wednesday.

Texas service sector activity “continued to increase in April, albeit at a slower pace than last month.”

Construction spending fell dramatically by 1.7% in March, much lower than the expected 0.5% gain.

The overall economy grew for the 108th straight time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday.

Texas factory activity, as measured by the production index, “rose markedly in April after posting slower growth in March.”

Pending home sales gained 0.4% to an index reading of 107.6 in March, from a downwardly revised 107.2 in February.

The MNI Chicago Business Barometer rose 0.2 points to 57.6 in April, up from 57.4 in March, snapping a three-month downward trend.

Respondents pointed to issues arising from tariffs and price increases for the decline.

Personal income rose 0.3% in March, while nominal PCE was up 0.4% and the core PCE price index rose 0.2% in the month and 1.9% year/year, about as expected, data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis Monday morning showed.

The March Midwest Economy Index climbed to 0.52 from a revised 0.41 in February, first reported as 0.44, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said Monday.

The University of Michigan's final April consumer sentiment index reading was 98.8.

U.S. employment costs increased more than forecast in the first quarter as worker pay and benefits accelerated, according to Labor Department data released Friday.

U.S. economic growth cooled last quarter as consumers pulled back following outsize spending in the prior period, though solid business investment cushioned some of the weakness.

Respondents to the monthly manufacturing survey reported higher prices received, suggesting growing inflation, while respondents voiced concern about trade policy.