U.S. Commerce Department

• 

  China: U.S. Trade Bill Violates Law

  By Marlene Y. Satter, AdvisorOne  |  March 7, 2012

  A bill targeting Chinese imports that is waiting for President Barack Obama's signature violates international law, according to the Chinese commerce minister.

• 

  Americans Raiding Savings, Retirement Accounts

  By Marlene Y. Satter, AdvisorOne  |  January 17, 2012

  In a move that may be a bad sign for the economy, Americans are spending more, and raiding their savings, college and retirement accounts to do so even as they take on more credit card debt.

• 

  U.S. Consumer—the Economy’s Engine—Chugs Along at Snail’s Pace

  By Gil Weinreich, AdvisorOne  |  January 12, 2012

  The U.S. Commerce Department reported flat retail sales in December, but the lackluster news may mask more positive news on the critical consumer front of the economy.

• 

  Retail Sales Rose in October Ahead of Holiday Shopping

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  November 15, 2010

  Even before consumers begin their holiday shopping in earnest, U.S. retail sales in October posted their biggest increase in seven months, though the lion's share of that gain was in auto sales.

• 

  New Home Sales Rose 6.6% in September; Durable Goods Sales Up

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  October 27, 2010

  Economic data released Wednesday showed that in September new home sales were higher and durable goods orders also rose, but not in a way that signals long-term growth.

• Q2 GDP Revised Up, Jobless Claims Down, Chicago PMI Upbeat

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  September 30, 2010

  Thursday's economic data told a positive story--with GDP revised higher, jobless claims below consensus, and positive manufacturing numbers out of Chicago--but analysts say the economy has a long way to go before it will truly be in full recovery.

• Housing Starts Rose a Surprisingly High 10.5% in August

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  September 21, 2010

  The U.S. housing market got a much-needed boost on Tuesday as the government's report on August housing starts rose at the unexpectedly strong rate of 10.5%, its highest level in four months.

• Jobless Claims Fall Off 6,000; Factory Orders Up 0.1% on Aircraft

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  September 2, 2010

  Unemployed workers filing jobless claims decreased by 6,000 in the last week, following a decline of 31,000 in the previous week, and continuing claims dropped 23,000, U.S. government figures released Thursday, September 2 show.

• New Home Sales Plunge to Record Low; Durable Goods Up but Ailing

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  August 25, 2010

  Sales of new single-family houses in July fell 12.4% to 276,600, the slowest pace of sales on record since 1963. July durable goods orders rose slightly, but the increase came mainly from airplane orders.

• New Home Sales Rose 23.6% in June in Unexpected Rebound From May's Record Low

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  July 26, 2010

  New home sales rose to a rate of 330,000 sold in June, 23.6% higher than the historically low revised rate of 267,000 homes sold nationwide in May, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Monday, July 26.