- Inventories slip, paced by retailer & wholesale sectors.
- Sales improvement is broad-based.
- Inventory/sales ratio falls.
- USA| Feb 14 2025
U.S. Business Inventories Ease as Sales Increase in December
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
- USA| Feb 14 2025
Oil Prices Leave High-Side Readings on Import and Export Prices
- Import prices drift higher in January, as a jump in petroleum prices offset cooling in the auto sector.
- Oil prices also led the increase on the export side.
Global| Feb 13 2025
Charts of the Week: Still Shining in the West
Recent weeks have brought significant shifts in financial market sentiment, reflecting changes in consensus views about the global economy. The latest Blue Chip Economic Indicators survey highlights the United States as a standout performer, with forecasters maintaining resilient growth forecasts compared to the rest of the world (chart 1). However, escalating concerns over US trade policy have led to sharp downward revisions in growth expectations for large open economies such as South Korea in recent months (chart 2). Inflation pressures also remain a key concern, which may have been amplified by the firmer-than-expected January US CPI data that were published this week (chart 3). CPI forecasts for most major economies, for example, have generally been climbing in recent months (chart 4). A notable exception is China, where inflation forecasts have continued to decline, and to worryingly low levels. Meanwhile, with Fed Chair Powell also signalling this week that the US central bank is in no hurry to cut interest rates, interest rate differentials remain a delicate balancing act for policymakers in many economies, particularly in Asia (chart 6). Recent financial market volatility certainly underscores the fine line central banks must tread as they navigate global economic uncertainties, including protectionist US trade policies and the ripple effects of shifting US monetary policy.
by:Andrew Cates
|in:Economy in Brief
- USA| Feb 13 2025
U.S. PPI Total & Core Increases Remain Firm in January
- Energy costs drive overall price increase.
- Core goods price gains are minimal.
- Services price gains are solid.
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
- Initial claims hold tight range.
- Total beneficiaries decreased in February 1 week.
- Insured unemployment rate remains at 1.2%.
- Personal income tax receipts pick up.
- Outlay growth remains strong.
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
- USA| Feb 12 2025
U.S. Consumer Price Inflation Strengthens in January
- Monthly core price gain doubles December rise.
- Goods & services prices both strengthen.
- Energy prices jump while food increase picks up.
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
- USA| Feb 12 2025
U.S. Mortgage Applications Rose in the February 7 Week
- Purchase loan applications fell while refinancing loan applications jumped in the latest week.
- Effective interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate loans edged down.
- Average loan size rose to the highest since the October 4 week.
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