Economy in Brief

The world has not come to an end. Nor is it clear that it is an auspicious new post-Brexit beginning. But with a Brexit deal now in hand, the details are trickling out as the ‘rats' desert what they perceive to be a sinking ship. [...]

The Empire State Manufacturing Index of General Business Conditions rose to 23.3 in November, the highest level in three months. This survey has been range-bound for roughly the last year. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected [...]

Import prices increased 0.5% (3.5% y/y) during October following a 0.2% September rise, revised from 0.5%. A 0.1% uptick had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. These figures are not seasonally adjusted. Strength in [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance slipped to 214,000 (-11.6% y/y) during the week ended November 3 .......... Continuing claims for unemployment insurance declined to 1.623 million (-15.1% y/y) in the week ending October 27 [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 216,000 (-13.6% y/y) during the week ended November 10 from 214,000 in the previous week, which was unrevised. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected 213,000 claims. The four- [...]

Total retail sales rose 0.8% (4.6% y/y) during October following two months of 0.1% decline, revised from slight increases. A 0.5% rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, [...]

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its General Factory Sector Business Conditions Index declined more than expected to 12.9 in November from 22.2 in October. The Action Economics Forecast Survey median was 21.0. These [...]

EMU GDP growth logs a finalized 0.7% annualized quarterly pace in Q3 2018 while its year-over-rate is cut back to a 1.7% gain from Q2's 2.2%. GDP growth in the EMU has steadily decelerated. The table highlights the slowing down of GDP [...]