Economy

The Inland Empire posted a 4.9 percent unemployment rate in April, essentially unchanged from the previous month, but above the 4.6 percent recorded exactly one year earlier, according to a report. That compares with a five percent for California and 3.9 percent for the nation during the same period, the …

Inland Empire manufacturing had another strong month in April, posting its fourth consecutive month of growth despite concerns about the economy’s immediate future. The region’s purchasing managers index last month was 63.5, a slight decline from March but still well above 50, the above/below number that determines whether manufacturing is …

Retail sales rose nationwide in April, as many consumers increased their buying to avoid the high prices expected to be happen because of higher tariffs, according to the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, not including automobiles and gasoline, were up 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted month-month-over-month, and up 6.7 percent …

California’s export trade grew by 7.7 percent in March, while U.S. exports increased five percent during that time, according to Beacon Economics in Los Angeles. Also in March, exports of products made in California increased by 6.2 percent year-over-year to $10.2 billion, while the state’s exports of non-manufactured commodities rose …

U.S. consumers are expected to spend $34.1 billion on Mother’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation. If that prediction holds true, it will top last year’s $33.5 billion and will be close to the record set in 2023, when $35.7 billion was spent on Mother’s Day, the Washington, D.C.-based …

The Inland Empire recorded a five percent unemployment rate in March, essentially unchanged from February but slightly higher than the 4.9 percent predicted one year ago. Nonfarm jobs in the two-county region fell by 1,600 between February and March, but were up 3,700 year-over-year, according to the state Employment Development …