Industrial production, measuring factory, mining, and utility output, is up 0.7% from a year ago. This gauge reflects the health of the goods-producing sector. Year-over-year, conditions remain relatively stable.

Import prices are up 2.1% from a year ago, reflecting changes in global costs and the dollar's strength. The year-over-year trend of up 2.1% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Producer prices are up 6.0% from a year ago, suggesting pipeline inflation pressures are building. What factories pay for inputs often flows through to consumer prices with a lag. The 6.0% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.

Orders for durable goods—products designed to last 3+ years—totaled $315.9B, down 1.3% from last month. These orders signal business investment intentions and manufacturing demand. The 7.4% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, is up 2.6% from a year ago. The Fed watches this measure closely since it better reflects underlying price pressures. The year-over-year trend of up 2.6% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Consumer prices are up 3.3% from a year ago, with the CPI index at 330.3. This measures how much more (or less) households are paying for everyday goods and services compared to last year. The year-over-year trend of up 3.3% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Personal income totaled $26.7T in February 2026, down 0.1% from last month. Rising incomes give households more capacity to spend or save. The year-over-year trend of up 3.7% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Consumer spending reached $21.6T, up 0.5% from last month. This is the broadest measure of what Americans are buying. The 5.3% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.

The PCE price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, is up 2.8% from a year ago. This measure influences Fed decisions on interest rates. The year-over-year trend of up 2.8% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Consumer credit outstanding is $5116.8T, up 0.2% from last month. Growing credit can signal confidence or stretched budgets depending on the economic context. The year-over-year trend of up 3.2% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, down 2.3% from last month. This historically low rate means most people who want jobs can find them. The year-over-year trend of up 2.4% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

The economy added jobs in March 2026, with total nonfarm employment reaching 158.6M. Job growth signals continued demand for workers across industries. Year-over-year, conditions remain relatively stable.

Labor force participation is at 61.9%, meaning that share of working-age adults are employed or seeking work. Year-over-year, conditions remain relatively stable.

Average hourly wages reached $37.38 in March 2026, up 0.2% from last month. Wage growth affects both workers' purchasing power and businesses' costs. The year-over-year trend of up 3.5% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Retail sales hit $738.4B in February 2026, up 0.6% from last month. Consumer spending drives roughly 70% of economic activity, making this a crucial health check. The year-over-year trend of up 3.7% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

There are 6.9M job openings across the economy, down 4.9% from last month. High openings relative to unemployed workers typically gives employees more bargaining power. The year-over-year trend of down 5.0% from a year ago suggests gradual but meaningful movement.

Building permits, a forward-looking indicator, are at 1.4M annualized. Permits signal how much construction is in the pipeline for coming months. The 5.1% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.

Construction spending totaled $2190.4B, down 0.3% from last month. Year-over-year, conditions remain relatively stable.

New home sales are running at 587K annualized, down 17.6% from last month. Sales pace reflects affordability conditions and buyer appetite. The 11.3% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.

Housing starts came in at 1.5M annualized units, up 7.2% from last month. New construction activity responds to both buyer demand and builder confidence. The 9.5% year-over-year change represents a significant shift worth monitoring.