Economy in Brief

The headline Final Demand Producer Price Index using new methodology increased 0.4% during September (2.6% y/y) after a 0.2% August gain. It was the strongest increase since April. A 0.4% rise had been expected in the Action Economics [...]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the total job openings rate in August remained at the record high of 4.0% for the third straight month. Figures prior to August were unrevised. The hiring rate slipped from its expansion [...]

Japan's machinery and core order series both expanded sharply in August. Both series show gathering momentum as Japan continues to post better than expected growth metrics despite still lagging inflation performance. Total and core [...]

Retail gasoline prices declined last week to $2.50 per gallon (+10.2% y/y) and were lower than the $2.69 high early last month. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The [...]

Neither German exports nor imports are surging, but exports have a very strong one-month gain in August after a very mild rise in July. Year-on-year exports have decelerated compared to the pace of growth in the same month of one year [...]

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index declined to 103.0 during September following little change during August. In was the lowest level of confidence since November, but [...]

Germany's industrial production rebounded strongly, gaining 2.6% m/m in August after falling in each of the previous two months. Capital goods output was especially strong, rising by 4.8% in August after falling for two straight [...]

Consumer credit outstanding grew $13.07 billion (5.5% y/y) during August following a $17.71 billion July increase, revised from $18.49 billion. A $15.5 billion August increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. [...]