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March 12, 2012
US job figures inspire optimism

The latest figures from the US Department of Labor and the Commerce Department give rise to optimism for the recovery of the US economy.

The latest figures from the US Department of Labor and the Commerce Department give rise to optimism for the recovery of the US economy.

The Labor Department has reported an increase of 233,000 private sector jobs last month, while the unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent, its lowest level in nearly three years.

The number of new jobs being created has been consistently above 200,000 in each of the past three months, fuelling hopes that the US recovery is gathering pace.

October 4, 2010
US construction spending enjoys modest rise

Construction spending in the US was up slightly more in August than had been expected, driven by an increase in public sector construction funded by federal money.

Construction spending in the US was up slightly more in August than had been expected, driven by an increase in public sector construction funded by federal money.

According to figures released by the Commerce Department, total construction spending rose to $811 billion, up 0.4 percent from July, on a rolling 12 month basis. The picture is still quite bleak, however, compared to a year ago when construction spending reached $902 billion in the 12 months leading to August 2009.

September 30, 2010
Commerce Dept revises GDP upwards

The US economy grew marginally faster in the second quarter than previously expected, according to figures released today by the Commerce Department, but the pace of growth is still painfully slow.

The US economy grew marginally faster in the second quarter than previously expected, according to figures released today by the Commerce Department, but the pace of growth is still painfully slow.

Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity, was upwardly revised to an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent in the three months ending in June.

September 9, 2010
US trade gap narrows

The US trade deficit narrowed more than expected in July, as imports fell and exports climbed to their highest level in almost two years, according to Commerce Department figures released today.

The US trade deficit narrowed more than expected in July, as imports fell and exports climbed to their highest level in almost two years, according to Commerce Department figures released today.

The deficit in international trade of goods and services narrowed by 14 percent to $42.78 billion, from $49.76 billion in June, with imports down by 2.1 percent to $196.11 billion from $200.33 billion in June. Exports rose 1.8 percent to $153.3 billion, their highest since August 2008, and up from $150.57 billion in June.