Census Bureau

Fresh data on orders for new semi-trucks, trains and planes in July showed a 2.3% increase from the previous month. That follows two previous monthly decreases.

The data from the Census Bureau could mean that consumers are pulling back — or it could just mean that they did more of their holiday shopping in November.

Fewer than half of the businesses asked to participate in jobs surveys actually answer. That can lead to biased data.

Because if we want to buy imports, we either have to export an equivalent amount or borrow money.

There’s a lot of nuance in interpreting the data and different ways to measure it.

We’re not relocating like we used to, thanks largely to the graying of the population, high home prices and remote work.

But take out the transportation sector — which has been throttled by the aviation giant’s troubles — and orders rose 0.4% last month.

Smaller and regional banks are major lenders not only for office construction, but also building projects like hospitals, educational institutions and ports.

They’re down about 26% compared to a year ago.

Wage increases have been eaten by high inflation.