Consumer spending

In this Sept. 23, 2019, photo shoppers examine refrigerators at a Home Depot store location, in Boston. On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for September. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
October 16, 2019 - 7:34 am

US retail sales dip 0.3% in September

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retail sales dropped in September by the largest amount in seven months, possibly signaling that rising trade tensions and turbulent markets are having an impact on consumer spending. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that retail sales fell 0.3% last month following a 0.6%...
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In this Sept. 17, 2019, photo job seekers line up to speak to recruiters during an Amazon job fair in Dallas. On Friday, Oct. 4, the U.S. government issues the September jobs report. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
October 04, 2019 - 10:58 am

US adds modest 136,000 jobs, lowering unemployment to 3.5%

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy added a modest 136,000 jobs in September, a gain that managed to help lower the unemployment rate to a new five-decade low of 3.5% but also suggested rising caution among employers. The additional hiring and the drop in the jobless rate will likely ease worries...
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FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2019, file photo passengers board a ferry that departs from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Commerce Department issues the third and final estimate of how the U.S. economy performed in the April-June quarter. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
September 26, 2019 - 8:05 am

US economy grew at modest 2% rate in second quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll. The...
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A commuter walks past a huge sign of the new pump prices of gasoline and diesel following its implementation Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in suburban Valenzuela city north of Manila, Philippines. Monday saw another round of oil price increase in the country which energy officials said is not related to the recent attacks in Saudi Arabia but has cautioned the public to brace for more spikes in the coming days. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
September 17, 2019 - 1:36 pm

US economy could shrug off oil prices if disruption is brief

DALLAS (AP) — The price of gasoline crept higher after a weekend attack devastated Saudi Arabian oil output, but if the disruption to global supplies is short-lived, the impact on the U.S. economy will probably be modest. Prices spiked Monday by more than 14%, their biggest single-day jump in years...
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FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2019, file photo, a long line of unsold Clubman sports-utility vehicles sit at a Mini dealership in Highlands Ranch, Colo. On Friday, Sept. 13, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for August. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
September 13, 2019 - 8:18 am

US retail sales rise moderately as auto-buying jumps

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. retail sales rose moderately in August, driven higher by a jump in auto buying and healthy online sales, evidence that consumers are still spending enough to support growth. The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales increased 0.4% last month, down from a strong 0...
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This Aug. 11, 2019, photo shows Visa logos on credit cards in New Orleans. On Monday, Sept. 9, the Federal Reserve releases its July report on consumer borrowing. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
September 09, 2019 - 2:43 pm

US consumer borrowing posts biggest gain since late 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer borrowing surged in July at its fastest pace since late 2017, driven by a big jump credit card use. Consumer borrowing increased by $23.3 billion in July after a $13.8 billion advance in June, the Federal Reserve reported Monday. It was the biggest monthly gain since a $...
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With cloudy skies in Washington, President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he returns to the White House from Camp David, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
September 01, 2019 - 10:35 pm

In escalating trade war, US consumers may see higher prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and China on Sunday put in place their latest tariff increases on each other's goods, potentially raising prices Americans pay for some clothes, shoes, sporting goods and other consumer items before the holiday shopping season. President Donald Trump said U.S.-...
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In this June 14, 2019, photo a pair of shoppers, center, in the Levi's store in New York's Times Square, survey a T-shirt display. On Friday, Aug. 30, the Commerce Department issues its July report on consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
August 30, 2019 - 9:46 am

Optimistic US consumers boost spending 0.6% in July

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer spending grew 0.6% in July, a healthy gain that suggests American shoppers are largely ignoring concerns about trade tensions and driving the economy forward. The Commerce Department said Friday that personal incomes rose just 0.1%, the smallest gain in 10 months...
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FILE - In this June 14, 2019, file photo a customer shows off his personalized Levi's tee shirt in the Levi's store, in New York's Times Square. The U.S. economy slowed in the spring, and most analysts expect it to weaken further in the months ahead. Yet the main driver of growth, consumer spending, remains vigorous enough to keep the economy growing steadily if still modestly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
August 29, 2019 - 1:46 pm

Thanks to consumers, US economy is rising steadily if slowly

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy slowed in the spring, and most analysts expect it to weaken further in the months ahead. Yet the main driver of growth — consumer spending — remains vigorous enough to keep the economy growing steadily if still modestly. Spending by households, which accounts for...
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FILE - In this July 11, 2019, file photo Weber grills are displayed at the Home Depot store in Londonderry, N.H. The Home Depot Inc. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $3.48 billion. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
August 20, 2019 - 3:37 pm

Execs starting to worry about tariffs' effects on consumers

Americans continue to shop, vacation and buy cars at a brisk clip. But corporate America is starting to worry out loud that President Donald Trump's tariffs will depress consumer spending and undermine the economy. Home Depot, the nation's largest home improvement chain, said as much on Tuesday,...
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