Economic indicators

During the Great Recession, interest rates hit zero lower bound, which caused the Fed to make unprecedented moves, or quantitative easing, to spur the economy.

Financial markets ignored surprisingly strong data and stayed focused on tariffs and developments in talks with China.

Worse-than-expected economic data released on Wednesday may signal softer growth — and greater demand for bonds.

While tariffs will certainly cause an uptick in inflation, the Federal Reserve can hold rates, according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams.

While futures signaled traders' expectations, analysts said conditions aren't ripe for the Federal Reserve to ease credit.

Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic said he would do "whatever it takes" should tariffs cause consumers to cut back spending.

The April producer price index grew less than expected, suggesting inflationary pressure will remain weak.

The April employment report topped estimates for jobs created, while the jobless rate fell to a 49-year low; wage increases missed projections.

Federal Chair Jerome Powell doused market hopes for a rate cut, but it was not the result of a shift in Fed policy.

The Fed Chair said the FOMC is “comfortable with our current policy stance,” which he termed “appropriate.”

The last day of the month brings a host of economic indicators, which showed much good news for housing and labor, strong consumer confidence, but mostly softer manufacturing conditions.

Inflation took a step back, according to the Federal Reserve’s favorite indicator, while income edged up in March, ahead of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, suggesting the Fed will be able to remain patient on rates.

U.S. consumer sentiment fell less than initially reported in April.

Gross domestic product expanded at a 3.2% annualized rate in the January-March period, according to the Commerce Department.

Manufacturing activity grew more modestly in April, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announced on Thursday.

March durable goods orders data were well above expectations for an aircraft-led gain, with the headline number rising by 2.7%.

Jobless claims rose 37,000 to 230,000 in the week ended April 20, according to the Labor Department.

Manufacturing growth in the central Atlantic region was weaker than in March, while “service sector activity was robust in April.”

Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in March, climbing to a 16-month high.

The region's services sector “continued to expand” at nearly the same pace as the previous month.