Consumer confidence falls. But worries over the big economic picture don't necessarily translate into fewer purchases by consumers. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
Scott Horsley is NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent. He reports on ups and downs in the national economy as well as fault lines between booming and busting communities.
President Trump has been pressing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates more aggressively, but the central bank voted to hold rates steady for now, as it tries to bring down inflation.
The central bank cut rates at its three previous meetings in an effort to support the job market. But with inflation still elevated, the Fed is cautious about additional rate cuts.
A sharp drop in net immigration has led to a slowdown in U.S. population growth. The Census Bureau says the population grew only about half as fast in the year ending last June as it did the previous year.