Even as the steel strike forced layoffs in many industries (see below), other sectors of the U.S. economy last week were girding for a fourth-quarter surge after the strike ends. Railroad freight-car loadings rose to their highest point since the beginning of the strike and 20.3% above the previous week, reflecting increased coal shipments to steel-producing centers in anticipation of the strike's end.
Other signs of surge:
ΒΆ For the second quarter, U.S. corporations reported the largest quarterly increase in nine years in working capital. The $3 billion boost brought the total to...
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