WSJ Economy

A better-than-expected performance in the first two months of the year opens space for Beijing to pursue its goal of shifting toward consumption-led growth.

GOP-led states are looking to entice new residents with lower taxes, while Democratic-led states seek higher taxes on top earners to shore up budgets and social services.

Most polls since the start of the U.S.-Israel bombing campaign find that the U.S. involvement in Iran is unpopular.

After a yearslong slump, there’s now a real-estate frenzy. “It’s just skyrocketed,” says one house hunter.

Countries are pushing the president to stick to deals made last year, and some are bristling at U.S. allegations of unfair trade practices.

The decision was good news for Jerome Powell, but it shows that Fed independence now depends on judges.

Consumer spending was slow and inflation was stubborn even before the attack on Iran sent oil prices soaring.

“Abundant evidence” exists that the subpoenas were designed to “harass and pressure Powell” to yield to President Trump, according to the ruling.

War is never a good thing—but it can reorient an economy in some positive ways.

Decisions by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, will take center stage in the coming week as investors watch how policymakers react to the recent jump in oil and gas prices.

Canada’s job market has had a dismal start to the year, with employers shedding jobs two months running to buoy an unemployment rate that had been heading lower.

Previous Mideast conflicts have caused recession. Today’s economy has more insulation from oil shock, but is showing some strains.

GDP grew at an 0.7% annual rate late last year, down from the initial reported pace of 1.4%.

The survey’s sentiment index was 55.5 in its preliminary March reading, versus 56.6 in February. Analysts polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a reading of 55.3.

Canadian manufacturing activity began the year on weak footing, with sales in January falling to the lowest level in eight months thanks in part to an extended winter shutdown at several auto plants.

Output unexpectedly fell and challenges are expected to gather pace from the jump in energy prices prompted by the war in the Middle East.

Uncertainty over developments in the Middle East suggest investors should avoid buying Bunds, Commerzbank said.

Washington’s latest trade probes target excess industrial capacity in several economies in Asia, causing concern that higher tariffs are on the way.

The central bank has heavily foreshadowed a rate cut on March 18. However, the escalating war in the Middle East may throw cold water on those plans, and Brazil’s market rally.

Turkey’s central bank held borrowing costs on Thursday and flagged that it could tighten interest rates should inflation rise further as war in the Middle East drives up energy prices.