The Chicago Fed National Activity index increased to 0.11 in April from -0.44 in March. The gains were driven by increases in industrial production, but a slowdown in other areas such as the labor market prevented stronger improvement in overall economic activity.

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia are backing Montana in its fight to prevent the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision from being used to strike down state laws restricting corporate campaign spending.

Unemployment rates fell in two-thirds of U.S. states last month, evidence that modest economic growth is boosting hiring in most areas of the country.

The ECRI weekly leading index fell to 124.5 for the week ending on May 11, from a previous 125.4, erasing the last two week's gains. The smoothed, annualized growth rate rose to 0.4, its highest level in three weeks.

The U.S. economy has lost momentum and less supportive financial market conditions and a weaker labor market have pushed the probability that the U.S. will be in recession in six months to 28% for April. This is the second consecutive monthly increase but its not too worrisome as some of ...

Net hiring weakened from March to April in most regions of the country, but unemployment rates were mostly unchanged. Nonfarm payroll employment rose in April in 32 states plus the District of Columbia, employment fell on net in the other 18 states. Unemployment rates did not register much of a ...

U.S. foreclosure activity fell for the third consecutive month in April. The 5% decline brings filings down to their slowest pace since mid-2007 and 14% below April 2011. Filings for all three stages of foreclosure slowed. Servicers are inching their way through the backlog of distressed loans to make sure ...

Working gas in underground storage rose by 61 billion cubic feet to 2,667 bcf, well above the consensus estimate of a 54 bcf build. This report should depress natural gas prices.

The Bloomberg consumer comfort index tumbled for the fourth consecutive week, falling 3.2 points to -43.6 from -40.4. Perceptions dimmed in all three of the survey segments. Softer readings on the labor market forced consumers to question the strength of the recovery, pulling views on the state of the economy ...

The Conference Board index of leading indicators fell 0.1% in April after increasing 0.3% in March. The April decline follows six consecutive monthly gains. The results were below expectations, as the consensus estimate called for a modest rise. Rising jobless claims and falling building permits were the largest contributors to ...