US small business confidence rises modestly amid sales worries

June interest rate hike appropriate unless data weakens: Fed’s Harker
The Fed should hike rates at a June meeting unless data show the U.S. economy is slowing, Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said on Monday.

US economy THIS CLOSE to a June rate hike: Fed’s Rosengren
The U.S. is on the verge of meeting most of the conditions the Fed has set to hike rates in June, Boston Fed’s Eric Rosengren, tells The FT.

Fed’s Bullard sees tight US labor market putting upward pressure on inflation
A relatively tight labor market may put upward pressure on inflation, raising the case for higher interest rates, Bullard said on Monday.

Markets to Fed: You don’t have our blessing to hike yet, Fidelity expert says
Markets still haven’t given the Fed a green light to keep tightening, Jurrien Timmer of Fidelity Investments says.

Williams sees more aggressive Fed rate hikes next year
The Fed will likely tighten policy a bit quicker in 2017 than this year, by perhaps one or two more interest rate hikes, a top Fed official said.

Marc Faber: The Fed is obsessed with the stock market
The investor known as “Dr. Doom” says the Fed is ignoring untrustworthy economic data and simply watching stocks.

Drop in US jobless claims bolsters hopes of economic rebound
The number of Americans filing for aid fell last week, a sign that the economy is regaining speed after stumbling in the first quarter.

The Fed would be crazy to hike rates in June
The bond markets are pricing in a June rate hike. Here’s why the Fed should not pull the trigger, says Ron Insana.

Leading indicators tick up in April
A key economic measure increased in April, according to new data released by The Conference Board Thursday.

Bank of America wants the Fed to hike rates
It’s time for the Fed to hike rates, Bank of America executives say. It’s just not clear whether Janet Yellen agrees.

Fed likely to hike in June if data improve: Minutes
The Fed will likely raise interest rates in June if economic data points to stronger second-quarter growth.

Hawks make a stand at April Fed meeting, but doves still rule
Wall Street is entertaining the thought that rates may rise this year, though fear of the Fed remains at a minimum.

Rate hike odds spike across the board after Fed minutes
Expectations for a June rate hike rose as Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed that members would support it if the data improved.

Fed rate hike will juice economy, stocks: Jim Paulsen
The Fed has perpetuated fear on Wall Street, and once it raises rates it will boost the economy and stocks, Jim Paulsen says.

Mohamed El-Erian: The Federal Reserve is torn
Allianz’s Mohamed El-Erian weighs in on the Fed and the next rate hike.

US consumer prices post largest gain in three years
Consumer prices jumped as gasoline and rents rose, pointing to a steady inflation build-up that could give the Fed ammunition to raise rates.

US housing starts, building permits increased in April
Housing starts rose more than expected in April as builders ramped up the construction of single and multifamily homes.

Factory output jumps unexpectedly, boosted by machinery, auto production
U.S. factory output expanded in April, a sign that the country’s manufacturing sector was resisting the downward pull from sputtering global growth.

What slowdown? China’s about to go on a huge US shopping spree
China may be slowing, but investors will find ways to keep pumping money into the U.S., says a new report.

It’s ‘a disgrace’: This is how much more CEOs make than workers
“The income inequality that exists in this country is a disgrace,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

Fed’s Williams sees good outlook, 2-3 rate hikes this year
The U.S. economic outlook is “definitely looking good,” San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said on Friday.

Empire State May manufacturing survey surprises with a negative reading
Manufacturing activity in New York State unexpectedly slumped in May, a New York Federal Reserve survey showed on Monday.

Fed’s Lacker says June hike should be on the agenda
The Fed should consider raising rates at its June meeting, Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker told the Washington Post.

US April retail sales post largest gain in a year
U.S. retail sales surged, suggesting the economy was regaining momentum after growth almost stalled in the first quarter.

US producer prices rise modestly in April
U.S. producer prices rose in April as energy prices increased.

This is the real American dream, according to Americans
Take our short quiz to see if your dream matches other U.S. adults’.

US business inventories post largest gain in 9 months
U.S. business inventories rose as automobile stocks recorded their biggest increase since 2013.

Don’t believe what Donald Trump says: He won’t raise minimum wage
Donald Trump’s flip-flops on minimum wage would confuse even the most ardent supporter. But Judy Conti says he’ll fall in line with the GOP.

Consumer sentiment at highest since June
Consumers were feeling more optimistic this month, as expectations for future growth hit highs for the year.

Strategist: Data isn’t overwhelmingly great, but the US is not in a recession
One strategist is maintaining his fairly optimistic outlook despite the looming risks of certain events in the early summer.

Bad roads, bridges could pare $4T from GDP in a decade
America is falling apart, and the repair bill is expected to top $3.3 trillion over the next decade.

Jobless claims rise to more than one-year high
Despite last week’s jump, claims remained below 300,000, a threshold associated with healthy job market conditions.

US import prices rise as cost of petroleum products jumps
Import prices rose in April for a second straight month as the cost of petroleum products goods increased.

Fed’s Evans sees US growth picking up to 2.5%, favors ‘wait and see’ on rates
The Federal Reserve’s current ‘wait and see’ approach to monetary policy is appropriate, a Fed policymaker said on Monday.

US job cuts rise to 65,141 in April; 2016 layoffs at 7-year high: Challenger
Layoffs by U.S.-based companies accelerated in April, sending year-to-date job cuts to the highest level since 2009.

Fed’s Kashkari says he does not expect US recession this year
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari on Wednesday said he expects the U.S. economy to grow at a moderate rate.

US jobless claims post largest rise in more than a year
The number of Americans filing for benefits jumped last week, but the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labor market.

Fed’s Bullard frets about US economy following Japan’s path
The official said he wants to raise rates — but that it seems the necessary conditions keep slipping away, The New York Times reports.

Donald Trump: This is why I’m for low interest rates
He also gave CNBC his thoughts on his vice presidential running mate.

Whoa: Job growth slows more than expected in April
Private job creation slowed last month as firms added just 156,000 jobs in April, ADP said Wednesday.

US productivity falls in Q1, compensation increases
Productivity fell in the first quarter and costs rose at their fastest pace since 2014 as companies hired more workers to maintain output.

US trade deficit shrinks as goods imports hit five-year low
The U.S. trade deficit fell more than expected in March as imports of goods tumbled to their lowest level since 2010.

Fed’s Lockhart: Get ready markets — June is a ‘live meeting’
The U.S. Federal Reserve could raise rates twice this year but it depends on the underlying strength of the economy.

Don’t hold your breath for the Q2 GDP bounce: Strategist
Investors shouldn’t expect the big Q2 bounce seen in 2014 and 2015, Phil Orlando says.

Donald Trump in Indiana says China is ‘raping’ America
Donald Trump has taken his rhetoric about China to a new level, accusing the country of “raping” the U.S.

Warren Buffett: US quarterly GDP figures are inherently suspect
Don’t put too much stock into quarterly GDP figures, Warren Buffett says.

Buffett to Trump: America is already greater than ever
Billionaire Warren Buffett dismisses Trump’s campaign slogan.