Manufacturing industry

Softness in consumer spending may be ending, which would increase gross domestic product.

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

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.

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

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for March narrowed to negative 0.15 from a downwardly revised negative 0.31 in February.

Manufacturers report activity has “continued to grow” in April.

U.S. factory production stalled in March as motor-vehicle output declined, adding to signs of headwinds for manufacturing and economic growth around the world.

Business activity “grew modestly in New York State,” while the outlook fell to its lowest level in three years.

New York economic conditions rebounded in March, with purchasing managers reversing course on almost all indexes from the prior month.