Latest Federal Reserve System News
US growth slowed sharply last quarter to 1.6% pace, reflecting an economy pressured by high rates
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s economy slowed sharply last quarter to a 1.6% annual pace in the face of high interest rates, but consumers — the main driver of economic growth — kept spending at a solid pace. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross...
US applications for jobless claims fall to lowest level in 9 weeks
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as the labor market continues to hold up despite higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve in its bid to curb inflation. The Labor Department reported Thursday that unemployment claims for the week ending April 20...
Stock market today: Tokyo's Nikkei leads Asian gains following Wall Street rally
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares rose on Wednesday, led by an 2% gain in Japan’s Nikkei 225 after U.S. stocks rallied for a second straight day Tuesday, blunting the blow from what’s been a rough April. U.S. futures rose while oil prices edged lower. Japan’s...
Stock market today: Asian stocks track Wall Street gains ahead of earnings reports
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian benchmarks extended gains Tuesday after U.S. stocks clawed back a chunk of their losses from last week, which was the worst for the S&P 500 in more than a year, while the yen weakened further to fresh 34-year lows. U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices...
Stock market today: Tumbling tech stocks drag Wall Street to the finish line of another losing week
NEW YORK (AP) — The worst week for big technology stocks since the COVID crash in 2020 dragged Wall Street on Friday across the finish line of another losing week. The S&P 500 dropped 0.9% to close out its third straight losing week. That’s its longest such streak since...
Stock market today: Asian markets sink, with Japan’s Nikkei down 3.5%, as Mideast tensions flare
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks tumbled Friday, with Japan’s Nikkei slumping 3.5% on heavy selling of semiconductor-related shares and other market heavyweights. Tensions in the Middle East were weighing on sentiment across the region, and U.S. futures were sharply lower. ...
Sluggish start for spring homebuying season as home sales fall in March with mortgage rates rising
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell 4.3% in March from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19...
Average long-term US mortgage rate climbs above 7% to highest level since late November
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prospective homebuyers are facing higher costs to finance a home with the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate moving above 7% this week to its highest level in nearly five months. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 7.1% from 6.88% last week, mortgage...
The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits didn't change last week as the labor market continues to defy efforts by the Federal Reserve to cool hiring. The Labor Department reported Thursday that unemployment claims for the week ending April 13 were unchanged from the...
Stock market today: Asian shares gain despite Wall Street's tech-led retreat
Asian shares advanced on Thursday even after sinking technology stocks sent Wall Street lower in the S&P 500's worse losing streak since the start of the year. U.S. futures were lower, while oil prices gained. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.3% to 38,090.87 and the...
