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The article reports on the increase of U.S. durable-goods orders such as industrial machinery and aircraft in July 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Topics mentioned include the business investments in the country, the insights of Stephen Stanley, chief economist at financial consultant Amherst Pierpont Securities, on the business equipment spending, and the decline in the oil prices that affects the investments in the country.

The article reports fall in the prices for energy and food in U.S. which resulted in decline of producer-price index by 0.4% even as inflation remained constant and domestic labor market improved. The article explains the fall in energy prices due to reduction in oil prices and margins for retailers.

The article reports that according to Institute for Supply Management, index of manufacturing activity increased in May 2016 along with expansion of factory activity. It mentions the factors affecting the growth which includes reduced commodity prices, increased value of U.S. dollar and more expensive exports. It also presents the views of Gus Faucher, economist at PNC Financial Services Group, on increase in consumer spending.

The article reports that National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced that there is an increase in the pending sales of previously owned homes in April 2016 due to job creation and low interest rates. Topics discussed include increase in sales index and new-home sales, improvement in the housing-market activity of the U.S., patterns in mortgage applications and seasonal issues, and the impact of tightening in the new-construction market.