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The dread that gripped equity markets earlier in the week re-emerged Feb. 8 as U.S. stocks plunged on concern that rising interest rates will drag down economic growth.

U.S. consumer comfort last week held near the highest level since 2001 even as stocks fell on concerns about higher interest rates, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Feb. 8.

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits unexpectedly declined last week, hovering close to an almost 45-year low and signaling a tight job market, Labor Department figures showed Feb. 8.

The U.S. trade deficit widened to the biggest monthly and annual levels since the last recession, underscoring the inherent friction in President Donald Trump’s goal of narrowing the gap while enjoying faster economic growth.

U.S. stocks plunged the most in 6 1/2 years Feb. 5, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average sinking more than 1,100 points, as the equity selloff reached a fever pitch amid rising concern that inflation will force interest rates higher.

America’s service industries expanded in January at the fastest pace in at least a decade as a surge in orders led to a pickup in hiring, figures from the Institute for Supply Management showed Feb. 5.

U.S. consumer sentiment exceeded analyst estimates in January as the outlook for jobs and household income improved, University of Michigan survey data showed Feb. 2.

U.S. hiring picked up in January and wages rose at the fastest annual pace since the recession ended, as the economy’s steady move toward full employment extended into 2018.

U.S. consumer confidence, along with a measure of Americans’ views of the economy, advanced last week to the highest levels in nearly 17 years, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Feb. 1.

U.S. factories expanded more than forecast in January and near the fastest pace in more than 13 years, indicating manufacturing was still powering ahead at the start of 2018, Institute for Supply Management data showed Feb. 1.