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The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 5.7% in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the 6.1% downturn reported last month, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Truck and engine manufacturer Navistar Inc. has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to certify heavy-duty diesel engines using selective catalytic reduction to meet the agency’s 2010 standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago declined in April, showing contraction for a seventh straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

New home sales increased 0.3% in April, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Intelligrated Inc. said Thursday it will acquire the U.S. operations FKI Logistex Holdings for $40 million in a cash deal with Melrose PLC, a British turnaround specialized, the Associated Press reported.

Durable goods orders rose 1.9% April, the largest gain in more than a year, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation has yet to make a decision on whether to back increased federal truck weight limits, Secretary Ray LaHood said.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said he would veto the state’s budget if it includes a 15-cent fuel tax passed by the House and under consideration in the Senate, the Associated Press reported.

Consumer confidence rose in May in the biggest gain in six years, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.