(Reuters) - Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said on Wednesday that the level of interest rates that's neutral in its impact on the economy likely hasn't risen much. Williams was taking stock of what economists refer to as R-Star, the real neutral rate of interest that balances the economy in the long run. This variable helps...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. trade deficit widened for a second straight month in May amid a decline in exports, indicating that trade likely remained a drag on economic growth in the second quarter. The trade deficit increased 0.8% to $75.1 billion, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Wednesday. Data for April was revised slightly to show...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. private payrolls increased a bit less than expected in June, consistent with slowing labor market momentum. Private payrolls increased by 150,000 jobs last month after rising by an upwardly revised 157,000 May, the ADP Employment report showed on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private employment increasing by 160,000 after a previously reported 152,000 gain....

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, pointing to easing labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 238,000 for the week ended June 29, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. The report was released a day early because of the Independence Day holiday...