Strong consumer spending and steady business investment helped cushion the US economy in the second quarter, but a surge in imports dragged overall growth to its slowest pace this year, even as inflation showed further signs of easing.

The US goods trade deficit narrowed in June as imports declined more sharply. Imports fell across most major categories, reflecting scaled-back business stockpiling efforts. …

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the spring, according to the Commerce Department. That's a modest slowdown from the previous quarter — but consumer spending…

The US economy expanded at a slower 1.5% pace in the second quarter. Strong consumer spending and AI infrastructure investment supported overall economic activity. Imports surged,…