1st Quarter GDP Falls 1.4%

U.S. gross domestic product fell for the first time in two years, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday, although analysts did not seem overly concerned.

March New Home Sales Stumble

New home sales took a tumble in March, HUD and the Census Bureau reported Tuesday, hamstrung by the usual suspects: rising interest rates; inadequate inventories and rapidly increasing home prices.

April Consumer Confidence Ticks Down

The Conference Board, New York, reported its Consumer Confidence Index decreased slightly in April, following an increase in March.

Initial Claims Hold Near 52-Year Lows; Leading Economic Indicators Improve

Initial claims for unemployment insurance hovered near historic lows last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. In a separate report, the Conference Board, New York, reported its Leading Economic Index rose in March, the second consecutive monthly improvement.

March Existing Home Sales Drop Nearly 3%

Existing home sales fell for the second straight month in March, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday, as buying conditions worsened from inadequate housing supply, elevated home prices and rising mortgage interest rates.

March Jobs Report Continues Strong Trend

U.S. employers added 431,000 jobs in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, while the nation’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6 percent.