Martin Crutsinger

Read the latest stories and analysis from Martin Crutsinger.

In this July 3, 2014 photo, a construction worker builds housing for students near Drexel University in Philadelphia. The Commerce Department reports on U.S. construction spending in June on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Construction spending falls 1.8 percent in June

Martin Crutsinger · August 1, 2014 2:21 pm

In this July 18, 2014 photo, Dawn Heigl, a waitress at The Harp, serves food at the restaurant in Wilmington, N.C. The Commerce Department reports how much U.S. consumers spent and earned in June on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/The Star-News, Matt Born)

US consumer spending up 0.4 percent in June

Martin Crutsinger · August 1, 2014 1:20 pm

In this July 17, 2014 photo, construction workers build a commercial complex in Springfield, Ill. The government issues its first of three estimates of how fast the U.S. economy grew in the April-June quarter on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

As US economy accelerates, Fed remains cautious

Martin Crutsinger · July 31, 2014 11:26 am

FILE - In this July 2, 2014, file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks at the International Monetary Fund in Washington. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to make sixth reduction in bond purchases Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Fed offers a dual message on health of US economy

Martin Crutsinger · July 30, 2014 8:57 pm

FILE - In this July 2, 2014, file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks at the International Monetary Fund in Washington. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to make sixth reduction in bond purchases Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

As Fed meets, key issues likely to stay unanswered

Martin Crutsinger · July 30, 2014 1:04 pm

In this July 17, 2014 photo, construction workers build a commercial complex in Springfield, Ill. The government issues its first of three estimates of how fast the U.S. economy grew in the April-June quarter on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

US economy likely showed big rebound last quarter

Martin Crutsinger · July 30, 2014 11:06 am

FILE - In this July 16, 2014 file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gestures as she testifies before the House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled: "Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy," on Capitol Hill in Washington. Federal Reserve policymakers begin a two-day meeting to set interest rates on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Fed is weighing key issues but may reveal little

Martin Crutsinger · July 29, 2014 4:12 pm

In this June 4, 2014 photo, Carry Johnson, left, shows dresses to her daughters Zoey, 3, center, and Payton while they shop at a Costco in Plano, Texas. The private Conference Board reports on consumer confidence for July on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

US consumer confidence jumps to 90.9 in July

Martin Crutsinger · July 29, 2014 2:56 pm

In this July 3, 2014 photo, construction worker Vinny Chase climbs out of a pit during a sewer and water line project in Philadelphia. The Conference Board reports on its index of leading economic indicators for June on Friday, July 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Gauge of US economy rises 0.3 percent in June

Martin Crutsinger · July 18, 2014 3:00 pm

This July 10, 2014 photo shows a home for sale in Quincy, Mass. Freddie Mac reports on average U.S. mortgage rates for this week on Thursday, July 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Average US mortgage rates dip slightly

Martin Crutsinger · July 17, 2014 3:44 pm

This May 15, 2014 photo shows new home under construction in the Winthrop sub-division in Riverview, Fla. The Commerce Department reports on U.S. home construction in June on Thursday, July 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

US home construction drops 9.3 percent in June

Martin Crutsinger · July 17, 2014 1:17 pm

In this June 6, 2014 photo, servers Lindsey Hayden, second from left, and Emma Franz serve lunch to patrons at Coppertop restaurant in Valley City, Ohio. A Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday, July 16, 2014 indicates the economy kept expanding in all regions of the country in June and early July, helped by strength in consumer spending. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Latest Fed survey sees improved economy

Martin Crutsinger · July 16, 2014 8:58 pm