Matt Grossman

U.S. retailers logged weaker sales in July—and the setback extended beyond the effects of last month's cooler gasoline prices. Retail sales fell 0.6% last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. A soft number isn't a complete surprise, because the figures aren't adjusted for changing prices and

Economists had expected a small increase in retail sales, but July brought surprisingly sour news.

Sales at U.S. retailers slid in July, the latest in a string of weaker reports prompting a rethink about an economy that had looked to be only accelerating this spring.

Consumers' economic mood is weaker this month versus July, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's monthly survey. The survey's sentiment index declined to 51, from 55.2 in July, according to results published Friday. The report reflects a preliminary August reading;

Consumers’ economic mood is weaker this month versus July, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan’s monthly survey.

Consumers' economic mood is weaker this month versus July, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's monthly survey.

The U.S. has reached a new borrowing milestone in its struggle to get hold of its finances.

Gross U.S. debt has surpassed $40 trillion, a new milestone in the country's struggle to control its finances.

Greg Mankiw, Thomas Sargent and William White all have strong ideas about why prices rise. Their work could guide how the Fed fights inflation.

Kevin Warsh came to the chairmanship of the Federal Reserve a harsh critic of the central bank's recent inflation record: more than five years above the 2% target.