Latest U.S. Department of Commerce News

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky denies it's a hazard after the US Commerce Dept bans its software

Jun. 21, 2024 07:17 AM EDT

The cybersecurity firm Kaspersky denied Friday that it is a security threat after the U.S. Commerce Department banned the use of its software in the United States. The Moscow-based company — whose CEO Eugene Kaspersky is Russian — said in a statement that the Commerce...

Retail sales rise a meager 0.1% in May from April as still high inflation curbs spending

Jun. 18, 2024 14:56 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers barely increased spending in May from April as still high prices on groceries and other necessities and high interest rates curbed spending. Retail sales rose 0.1% in May, below the pace that economists projected, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. And...

This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger's first-quarter results

Jun. 17, 2024 09:21 AM EDT

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week: RETAIL RECEIPTS The Commerce Department on Tuesday reports retail sales data for May. Analysts expect that retail sales rose 0.3% last month after stagnating in April....

US economic growth last quarter is revised down from 1.6% rate to 1.3%, but consumers kept spending

May. 30, 2024 19:48 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a sluggish 1.3% annual pace from January through March, the weakest quarterly rate since the spring of 2022, the government said Thursday in a downgrade from its previous estimate. Consumer spending rose but at a slower pace than previously thought, a...

China to impose controls on exports of some aviation and aerospace equipment

May. 30, 2024 08:01 AM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday it will restrict exports of some aviation and aerospace-related equipment and technology beginning July 1. A notice seen Thursday on the ministry’s website said the move was to safeguard national security and interests and...

This week: Consumer confidence, Dick's Sporting Goods earnings and the latest US inflation reading

May. 27, 2024 03:13 AM EDT

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week: HOW CONFIDENT? The Conference Board on Tuesday issues its consumer confidence index for May. Confidence deteriorated in April for the third straight month as Americans...

Lawmakers call for further inquiry into Virginia prison that had hypothermia hospitalizations

May. 22, 2024 17:57 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A raft of hypothermia hospitalizations and other questionable conditions at a Virginia prison uncovered in a recent report deserve further scrutiny, leading Democratic state lawmakers said this week. Lawmakers pledged to press Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's...

Retail sales were unchanged in April from March as inflation and interest rates curb spending

May. 15, 2024 12:27 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans unexpectedly paused their spending in April from March as inflation continued to sting and elevated interest rates made taking on debt more burdensome. Retail sales were unchanged, coming in well below economists' expectations, and follow a revised 0.6%...

Editorial Roundup: Minnesota

May. 08, 2024 07:18 AM EDT

Minneapolis Star Tribune. May 1, 2024. Editorial: In the cellar with Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell An evenhanded process is needed for dealing with legislator behavior. Here’s what’s not subject to interpretation: State Sen. Nicole Mitchell...

Confidence of US consumers continues to decline as Americans worry about the future

Apr. 30, 2024 10:25 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence deteriorated for the third straight month as Americans continue to fret about their short-term financial futures with prices and interest rates still elevated. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its...