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Factory output fell in September for a second month as high inventories and lukewarm demand from overseas customers kept American producers bogged down.

Consumers in the United States tempered purchases at retailers in September, pocketing the savings from lower fuel costs and making for a weak finish to the third quarter.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who last week pledged support for long-term highway funding, dropped out of the race for U.S. House speaker on the day his party was poised to nominate him to replace John Boehner, as an internal Republican feud erupted into open warfare on Capitol Hill.

American manufacturing stagnated in September as a stronger dollar and faltering overseas markets led to the slowest pace of orders since November 2012.

Consumers were more upbeat last week than at any time since mid-July as Americans held the most favorable views of the buying climate in three months.

Household spending climbed more than forecast in August and incomes also rose as the biggest part of the U.S. economy continued to power past a global slowdown.

Caterpillar Inc., the world’s biggest mining and construction machinery manufacturer, reduced its sales forecast and said it will cut as many as 10,000 jobs over four years in response to a slowdown in the mining and energy industries.

Add diesel to the commodities flooding global markets from China.

The momentum in orders for business equipment stalled in August after gains the prior two months as U.S. investment took a breather amid volatility in financial markets and concerns that global growth is slowing.