Economic indicators

The value of wholesale inventories fell 0.5% in April, a -0.2% adjustment from the 0.3% decrease estimated in the advance estimate, while wholesale sales were -0.4%, data released Friday by the U.S. Commerce Department showed.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $39 billion 91-day bills and $33 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 10,000 to 245,000 in the June 3 holiday week, slightly ahead of the 240,000 level analysts expected and following a larger-than-normal upward revision to 255,000 in the previous week, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $45 billion of four-week bills at a 0.840% high yield, a price of 99.934667.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.980% high rate, up from 0.960% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 1.070% high rate, up from 1.060% the week before.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of new factory orders fell by 0.2% in April, exactly as expected, as nondurable goods orders rose 0.4% to offset a downward revised 0.8% decline in durable goods orders, data released by the Commerce Department Monday morning showed.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - First quarter nonfarm productivity was revised modestly higher to a flat reading from a 0.6% decline previously reported, while unit labor costs were revised down to a 2.2%% pace of growth from the 3.0% rise in the preliminary estimate, data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Monday showed.

Puerto Rico’s April economic activity index fell 2% in April from a year earlier, signaling continued weakness as the island government embarks on its record breaking municipal debt restructuring.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - With job gains limited to just four major categories, May payrolls were up only 138,000 and an improvement in the unemployment rate to 4.3% was mainly because of a shrinkage in the labor force.

Construction spending unexpectedly fell 1.4% in April, with a declines in both residential and nonresidential building, data released by the Commerce Department Thursday morning showed.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 to 248,000 in the May 27 week, above the 238,000 level analysts expected, but still near the decades-low levels seen in recent weeks, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan is sticking to his outlook for two more interest-rate increases this year, even as he acknowledged recent declines in U.S. core inflation.

Housing demand unexpectedly weakened for a second month across most U.S. regions as lean inventory took a toll on affordability, putting a damper on the typically busier spring selling season, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Wednesday.

The MNI Chicago Business Barometer decreased to 55.2 in May from 58.3 in April, the lowest level since January.

The Treasury Department Wednesday sold $25 billion 14-day cash management bills, dated June 1, due June 15, at a 0.735% high tender rate.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $45 billion of four-week bills at a 0.840% high yield, a price of 99.934667.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.960% high rate, up from 0.920% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 1.060% high rate, up from 1.050% the week before.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had decreased in April, declined slightly in May.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - Personal income rose 0.4% in April, while nominal PCE was up 0.4%, and the core PCE price index rose 0.2%, data released by the Commerce Department Tuesday morning showed.

U.S. consumer sentiment holding near post-election highs reflects an improved outlook on wages and indicates spending is poised to rebound, though a partisan gap persists, University of Michigan survey data showed Friday.