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Furniture sellers hoped for a better 2023

Jan 17, 2024
The furniture and home furnishings sector saw a 5.4% sales decline last year.
Furniture sales dipped 4.7% for the year, according to the Commerce Department.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The U.S. November trade deficit was $63B, but that's not the important thing

Jan 9, 2024
Trade deficit numbers get a lot of attention in election years. Here are some things to know about the nuance behind the numbers.
"Counterintuitively, an expanding trade deficit is typically associated with stronger economic growth in the United States," says Scott Lincicome with the Cato Institute.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Did retail sales grow because we bought more stuff, or did the stuff get more expensive?

Oct 17, 2023
The way the Census Bureau calculates its retail sales data wasn't an issue until prices started rising a couple years back.
Grocery store spending rose 0.4% in September, according to the Census Bureau.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Warmer U.S.-China trade relations could help U.S. exporters

Aug 29, 2023
The U.S. has been restricting certain American exports to China, citing national security concerns. But other U.S. exporters could benefit from improved trade relations.
Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with Lin Feng, Director General of China Ministry of Commerce and U.S. Ambassador to China Nick Burns upon her arrival in Beijing on Sunday.
Andy Wong-Pool/Getty Images

Boosting chip production is “an investment in America’s national security,” Commerce secretary says

Apr 25, 2023
“The stakes are so high” when it comes to making the U.S. a leader in this key technology, says Gina Raimondo.
“The stakes are so high” when it comes to making the U.S. a leader in semiconductors, says Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Consumers spent more in January, but also saved more. What gives?

Feb 24, 2023
A boost in disposable income fueled spending and saving. Data signals a healthy outlook, but lower-income people are draining reserves.
ArLawKa AungTun/Getty Images

Here's why the U.S. revises GDP estimates — over and over

Feb 23, 2023
The Bureau of Economic Analysis revised GDP down to 2.7% from the fourth quarter of last year.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis revised down its GDP estimate for the fourth quarter of last year from 2.9% to 2.7%.
Roman Babakin/Getty Images

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What durable goods tell us about the economy

Jul 27, 2021
Orders for long-lasting items rose 0.8% in June. The data could reflect trends in inflation, automation and the economic recovery.
Spending on durable goods, like washing machines, provides a peek into overall consumer confidence.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Lagging care economy "makes us uncompetitive," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says

Jul 15, 2021
Raimondo discusses the infrastructure packages moving through Congress and the semiconductor chip shortage.
"If we're able to land the plane on these packages, it'll be a great day in America," says Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about the Biden administration's infrastructure plan.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Fortune/Time Inc.

Trump administration bans WeChat, TikTok from U.S. app stores starting Sunday

Sep 18, 2020
The Commerce Department says, starting Sunday, neither app can be downloaded or updated in the U.S.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images