New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased $6.3 billion or 2.2% in December 2024 to $276.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau said in its most recent advance report. The drop followed a 2% decrease in November. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders fell 2.4%. Transportation equipment drove the decrease, dropping $6.9 billion or 7.4% to $86.1 billion.
Despite temporary tariff relief, small businesses still face elevated costs from historically high tariffs on Chinese goods.
Overall customer satisfaction with personal loans has remained largely flat, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index decreased 2.7% in May compared to the month prior, landing at 50.9, according to preliminary results for the month.
Housing starts increased by 1.6% in April from the month prior to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.34 million, the Commerce Department reported.
The CFPB has withdrawn a proposed rule to prohibit contractual provisions in agreements for consumer financial products or services that waive “substantive” consumer legal rights and protections.
The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.81% this week. The rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was 5.92%.
