The market perked up late in the year when interest rates eased, but affordability challenges yielded the fewest transactions since 1995.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.

Fed officials have signaled that it will take more than one weak report to convince them that the labor market is deteriorating.

Economists have long helped to shape policy on issues like taxes and health care. But flawed forecasts and arcane language have cost them credibility.

Stubborn inflation, and potential tariffs, make future rate cuts uncertain.

A short lapse in funding would probably do only modest damage. But it could send a troubling signal about government dysfunction.

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s proposals on tariffs, immigration, taxes and deregulation may have far-reaching and contradictory effects, adding uncertainty to forecasts.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks jobs and inflation, issued a report on what caused embarrassing episodes in which data was released improperly.

Consumer sentiment among Republicans has soared to its highest point since Donald J. Trump left the White House, while declining among Democrats.