Real gross domestic product (GDP) was essentially unchanged for a second consecutive month in August as factors such as higher interest rates, inflation, forest fires and drought conditions continued to weigh on the economy. Services-producing industries edged up 0.1% in the month, while goods-producing industries contracted 0.2%. Overall, 8 of 20 industrial sectors increased. Wholesale trade (+2.3%) increased in August for the third time in four months, as six of nine subsectors contributed to the growth. The machinery, equipment and supplies subsector led the growth with a 5.1% gain in August. This was the largest ... (full story)