U.S. Economic News
May 15, 2018
U.S. Economic Indicators
Retail sales rose 0.3% in April and were up 4.7% on the year. Core sales — which excludes autos, gasoline, building materials, and food services — increased 0.4%. Census Bureau Report
Business inventories were unchanged in March but were up 3.8% from last year. Manufacturers’ sales increased 0.4% and were up 5.6% on the year. Census Bureau Report
The NAHB Housing Market Index edged up 2.0 points to 70.0 in May. Builder confidence was buoyed by stronger demand for single-family homes. NAHB Report
U.S. News
The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. and China are discussing a deal that would give Chinese telecom firm ZTE relief from recent sanctions in return for the removal of Chinese tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. The negotiations, which come after the imposition of potentially-crippling sanctions on ZTE, could also include easing of Chinese roadblocks to U.S. tech firms operating in China. WSJ