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Commentary Archive

December 2004
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Down
30   Help-Wanted Advertising At Series' Low
30   Initial Claims For Jobless Insurance Fell
29   U.S. Existing Home Sales Up To Record High
29   Mortgage Applications Down
28   Improved Assessment of Job Market Raised Consumer Confidence
28   Strong Ending to Holiday Season Raised Chain Store Sales
23   Income, Services Flows Widen UK Current Account in Q3
23   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Rebounded
23   U.S. Personal Income Rebounded
23   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rose Throughout December
23   New Home Sales Softer
23   Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Bounced Up
22   German IFO Improves in December
22   US 3Q GDP Revised Up
22   Total Mortgage Applications Unchanged but Refi's Rose
21   Italian Consumers More Pessimistic in December
21   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Down: Above Trend Growth Still Suggested
21   Chain Store Sales Helped by Lower Gasoline Prices
20   Brazil Posts a Current Account Deficit in November, but Should Record a Big Surplus for the Year
20   Leading Indicators Gain First in Six Months
17   Argentina Recovery Continues
17   Consumer Prices Tame, As Expected
17   Gasoline Prices, Down in November, Fell Further in December
16   Japan Financing Trends Remain Favorable, Despite Q3 Decline
16   Philadelphia Fed Activity Index Improved
16   Housing Starts Fell Sharply
16   U.S. Current Account Deficit Deepened
16   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Dropped Sharply
15   Japan "TANKAN" Eases in Q4, but Still Better Than Forecast
15   OECD Leaders Declined For Third Month
15   Empire State Index Jumped
15   Mortgage Applications Slip
14   FOMC Raised Funds Rate to 2.25%
14   Manpower Index of US Hiring Intentions Remained Firm
14   Small Business Optimism At 20 Year High
14   U.S. Trade Deficit a Deeper Than Expected Record in October
14   Industrial Production Up But Gains Slow
14   The Holiday Spirit Found? Chain Store Sales Recover
13   British Manufacturers Expect Lower Volume of Output but Order Books and Expected Prices Improve
13   U.S. Retail Sales Up
13   U.S. Inventories Rose Slightly
10   Turkish GDP Falls, but Inflation Below 10% for a Second Quarter
10   PPI Boosted by Energy & Food, Core As Expected
10   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rebounded in December
09   Households' Net Worth Improved Further
09   Import Prices Firmer Than Expected in November
09   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Rose Again
08   Revisions Bring Modestly Lower Japanese GDP Growth; Data Now Chain-Linked, Rebased to 2000
08   JOLTS: Job Openings & Hires Up in the US
08   Mortgage Applications Bounce Up
07   German Investor Confidence Stops Falling After Four Months of Decline
07   U.S. Productivity Growth Little Revised for 3Q
07   Chain Store Sales Slumped Further
07   Challenger Layoff Count Rose Further
06   German New Orders for Manufacturing Increase in October but Sales Lag
06   Commodity Prices Higher
03   November Has Average Temperature in US, But Lots of Rain
03   U.S. Job Growth Disappointing in November
03   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Rose
02   German Unemployment Up; Spain's Comes Down
02   US Factory Orders & Shipments Recover
02   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Lower
02   Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Jumped
01   European Manufacturing Slows; Oil Price & Strong Euro Blamed
01   ISM Factory Index Up
01   U.S. Personal Income Rebounded
01   U.S. Construction Spending Flat Again in October
01   Mortgage Applications Down Further

November 2004
30   A Spate of New Data from Japan: Most of It Disappointing
30   US 3Q GDP Revised Up, Corporate Profits Fell
30   Chain Store Sales Very Disappointing During Thanksgiving Week
30   Consumer Confidence Down Again
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Fell, Employment Strong
29   Denmark's GDP Third Quarter Growth Slowed by Decline in the Foreign Trade Balance
24   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Faded Late Month
24   New Home Sales Higher Still
24   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Fell
24   Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Fell Unexpectedly
24   Mortgage Applications Plunged
24   Help-Wanted Advertising Up Slightly
24   SUV Demand Drives Up Energy Prices?
23   Chile Reports Third Quarter Growth of Almost 7%
23   U.S. Existing Home Sales Remained High
23   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Improved Sharply
23   Chain Store Sales Recover
22   Taiwan Shows Good Growth in the Third Quarter: Consumer and Wholesale Price Increases Suggest Deflation May Soon Be a Thing of the Past
22   ECRI U.S. Leading Index Moved Up
19   Chain-Linking Comes to Japan's GDP Accounts
19   Philadelphia Fed Activity Index Eased
18   Unemployment Rates Down in Hong Kong & Sweden
18   Leading Indicators Down Again
18   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Fell
17   Net Foreign Purchases of Securities in US Market Increase in September; Japanese Pullback Offset by UK, Others
17   Consumer Prices Strong
17   Industrial Production Firm
17   Housing Starts Stronger Than Expected
17   Mortgage Applications Rise on Higher Refis
16   Oil Prices Largely Responsible for Small Rise in Inflation in the United Kingdom
16   Producer Prices Surge, Core Strong
16   Chain Store Sales Off
15   The Weak Dollar Likely to Be High on the Agenda at the Meeting of the Finance Ministers of the Group of 20 This Weekend
15   Empire State Index Gain Light
15   U.S. Inventories Up Slightly
12   Japanese GDP Slower with 0.1% Increase. Haver Databases Updated Faster with New "Asian Shift"
12   U.S. Retail Sales Gain
12   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Recovered Further
11   Home Price Appreciation Varies
11   German Growth Slows in Q3; Netherlands and Spain See Improvement
10   Federal Funds Rate Raised to 2.0%
10   Slovakia Employment Firms in September; Former Soviet-Bloc Nations Show Irregular Progress 15 Years Later
10   A Shallower U.S. Trade Deficit in September
10   Import Price Gain All Oil
10   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Ticked Up
10   Mortgage Applications Falter
09   A Mixed Bag of Data from Germany: The ZEW Index of Expectation Down Sharply, Employment and Prices Higher
09   Small Business Optimism Backpedaled
09   US Consumers Went Shopping At Chain Stores
08   US Dollar Decline Beginning to Affect Foreign Exchange Reserves
08   OECD Leaders Continued Sideways
05   Employment Gains in Canada, Too; Unemployment Rate Stays Flat
05   U.S. Job Growth Strong, Revisions Positive
04   Consumer Prices Quiescent in Chile, but Wholesale Prices Surge
04   U.S. Productivity Growth Slowed From Strengthened 2Q Pace
04   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Fell As Truck Rebates Ended
04   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Down
03   Employment Situation Shows Signs of Stabilization in Major European Economies
03   ISM Non-manufacturing Index Rebounded
03   US Factory Orders & Shipments Down
03   Challenger Layoffs Remained High
03   Mortgage Applications Jumped
02   The Disappointing Trend in German Retail Sales Continues
02   U.S. Chain Store Sales Down For Third Week
01   Australian Exports Continue Trend Toward More Asian Orientation and Commodity Prices Reflect Relative Demands of Non-agricultural vs. Agricultural Commodities
01   U.S. Personal Income Gain Light
01   ISM Factory Index Slipped Unexpectedly
01   U.S. Construction Spending Down in September

October 2004
29   People's Bank of China Raises Lending Rate; Removes Cap on Bank Rates in Major Monetary Policy Shift
29   3Q US GDP Light at 3.7%
29   3Q'04 Employment Cost Index Up 0.9%
29   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Recovered After Early October Slump
29   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Highest Since 1988
28   French Industry Noticeably More Optimistic, Unlike Neighbors
28   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Rose
28   Help-Wanted Advertising Down Again
28   New Home Sales Higher Again
27   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Turn Up, Helped by Machinery & Computers
26   Pessimism Among U. K. Manufacturers Rises in the Fourth Quarter
26   Consumer Confidence Down Sharply
26   Gasoline Above $2.00/gal. & Crude Oil Topped $50/bbl.
26   U.S. Chain Store Sales Down Again
25   Germany's Ifo Index Surprises With a Small Improvement
25   U.S. Existing Home Sales Rebounded
25   ECRI U.S. Leading Index Flat Since July
22   Nat'l Activity Index Negative: Chicago Fed
21   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Drop Suggests Labor Market Firmed
21   Leading Indicators Down Again
21   Philadelphia Fed Activity Index Rebounded
21   Mass Layoffs Plunge Again
21   UK Retail Sales Strong in September, But Trend Moderates
20   Canadian Leading Indicators Rise, But More Slowly
20   Mortgage Applications Rebounded
19   September Industrial Production in Poland Up Strongly: Increases in Production in the New European Union Member Countries Outpace That of the Euro-Zone
19   Consumer Prices Rose Moderately: Used Car Prices Firm
19   Housing Starts Down More Than Expected
19   Housing Market Index Recovered
19   U.S. Chain Store Sales Slipped
18   Employment in Japan Beginning to Show Improvement: Wage Growth Still Erratic
18   U.S. Inventories Accumulate Further
15   Petroleum Imports Hit French Current Account
15   U.S. Consumer Spending Firm
15   Finished Producer Prices Up Slightly
15   Empire State Index Dropped
15   Industrial Production Disappointing, Factory Output Down Broadly
15   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Plunged
15   FY 2004 U.S. Budget Complete
14   New Japanese Consumer Confidence Survey Shows Confidence Down in September, But Still Much Higher than Last Few Years
14   U.S. Trade Deficit Deepened in August
14   Import Prices Up Just 0.2%
14   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Rose
13   Japanese Current Account Widens with Service and Income Flows as Well as Trade
13   Mortgage Applications Plunge Despite Lower Rates
12   Investor Confidence in Germany Plunges: Does It Portend Worse to Come or Does It Reflect What Is Happening?
12   Small Business Optimism Rebounded
12   U.S. Chain Store Sales Recovered Further
11   Gross Domestic Product in Singapore Declines 2.3% in Third Quarter
11   Consumer Credit Usage Weak But Total Liabilities Strong
08   September CPI Trends Diverge Among Four Central Europe, Latin American Countries
08   U.S. Job Creation Disappointing in September, Hurricane Effects Small
07   More Jobs in Australia; Unemployment Still Low
07   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Fell Despite Hurricane Jeanne
06   German Factory Orders Decline in August, but Hold Double-Digit Gains over Year-Ago Volume
06   Mortgage Applications Flat
05   Unemployment Rate in Germany Hits 10.7%, the Highest Level Since February 1999
05   ISM Non-manufacturing Index Down Unexpectedly
05   Challenger Layoffs Surged
05   U.S. Chain Store Sales Rebounded Some
04   Diverse Trends in the Volume of Retail Sales Among European Countries
04   Stronger Trucks Drove U.S. Light Vehicle Sales
04   US Factory Shipments & Inventories Strong
01   Flat ISM Factory Index As Expected
01   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down
01   U.S. Construction Spending Up
01   Japan "TANKAN" Better Than Forecast for Q3

September 2004
30   French Industry's Outlook Improves
30   U.S. Personal Income Up Moderately
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Rebounded
30   Help-Wanted Advertising Remained Depressed
30   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Again Raised by Hurricanes
29   Canadian Industrial Product Prices Appear to Peak Out Following Surges in Petroleum & Metals
29   2Q US GDP Growth Revised Higher
29   Again, Lower Rates Raised Mortgage Refinancing
28   Dutch Consumer Confidence Falls Slightly While Producer Confidence Rises Slightly: Both Are Well Above the Lows of 2003
28   Consumer Confidence Down
28   U.S. Chain Store Sales Again Battered By A Hurricane
28   Gasoline Prices Up as Crude Oil Nears $50 per Barrel
27   Germany Business Confidence Falls Slightly in September: Retailers Particularly Pessimistic
27   New Home Sales Higher
24   UK "Engineering" Orders Gain in July; Home Market More Stable than Export Demand
24   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Down: Aircraft Orders Quite Volatile
24   Mass Layoffs Plunge
24   U.S. Existing Home Sales Fell A Second Month
23   New Zealand Current Account Deteriorates in Q2
23   Leading Indicators Down Again
23   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Lower in August
23   Hurricanes Lifted Claims for Jobless Insurance
22   South Africa Current Account Has Record Deficit in Q2
22   Lower Rates Spur Mortgage Refinancing
21   FOMC Raised Funds Rate for Third Time
21   Another Sign of a Good Third Quarter for Canada: Strong Retail Sales Growth in July
21   August Housing Starts At Year's High
21   Housing Market Index Backpedaled
21   Hurricane Ivan Battered U.S. Chain Store Sales
20   Employment in Hong Kong Continues to Shift from Manufacturing and Construction to Services
20   ECRI U.S. Leading Index Down
17   Canadian Consumer Prices Fall in August
17   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Little Changed
17   US Flow of Funds: Households' Net Worth Rose
16   Philadelphia Fed Activity Index Down, Components Up
16   Cross-Currents in Asian Labor Markets
16   Consumer Price Inflation Under Wraps
16   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Up
15   Japan: Demand for Credit "Less Weak" in Q2
15   Industrial Production Up Slightly, Factory Output Firm
15   Empire State Index Rebounded Strongly in September
15   U.S. Inventory Accumulation Raised Output
15   Mortgage Applications Slipped
14   ZEW Index Puts a Dampener on Germany's Third Quarter Prospects
14   Home Prices Firm
14   U.S. Current Account Deficit Another Record
14   U.S. Retail Spending Lackluster
14   Manpower Index of US Hiring Intentions Remained Firm
14   Small Business Optimism Fell in August
14   U.S. Chain Store Sales Ticked Higher
13   Will China's Rising Inflation Put Pressure on Monetary Authorities To Revalue the Yuan?
13   OECD Leaders Broadly Stalled
10   Canadian Employment Situation Little Changed in August
10   U.S. Trade Deficit Still Near The Record in July
10   Finished Producer Prices Decline
09   Brazil Industrial Production Adds 0.5% in July, Extending Recovery
09   Import Prices Spike Higher
09   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Dropped Sharply
08   Mixed Fortunes for European Industry
08   U.S. Budget Deficit Estimates Updated
08   Challenger Layoffs Up Again in the U.S.
08   U.S. Chain Store Sales Little Changed
08   Low Mortgage Rates Stimulate Borrowing in U.S.
08   JOLTS July Update: US Hiring Improved But Slower
07   German Industrial Production and New Orders Rise in July
07   Mass Layoffs Up
07   JOLTS Indicates Improved Hiring in the US
03   Euro-Zone Services Activity Maintains Steady Growth
03   ISM Nonmanufacturing Index Slipped
03   U.S. Job Growth Recovered Some, Unemployment Rate Fell
02   German Labor Market Remains in the Doldrums
02   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Fell in August
02   Factory Inventories Up
02   U.S. Productivity & Unit Labor Cost Growth Revised Down, Corporate Costs Up
02   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Again Raised Hurricane Charley
01   Global Manufacturing Growth Pauses in August; Output Prices Firming
01   ISM Factory Index Fell About As Expected
01   Mortgage Applications Down

August 2004
31   Second Quarter GDP Growth in Canada Accelerates
31   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Down
31   Consumer Confidence Fell Sharply
31   Gasoline, Crude Oil & Natural Gas Prices Down
31   U.S. Chain Store Sales Slip
30   Australia's Capital Inflows Continue to Support the Australian Dollar
30   U.S. Personal Income Sluggish. Farmers' Income Fell, Wages OK
27   Japanese Unemployment Rises in July, But So Does Employment; Signs of Recovery Ambiguous
27   Foreign Trade Drag Reduced 2Q US GDP Growth, Domestic Corporate Profits Slower But Firm
27   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Up Through August
26   British Industry Continues Improvement, but German Expectations Weaken
26   Help-Wanted Advertising Slipped
26   Hurricane Charley Lifted Initial Jobless Claims
25   Brazil Maintains Record Range for Current Account Surplus
25   Surge In Aircraft Lifts U.S. Durable Goods Orders
25   New Home Sales Weaken
25   Mortgage Applications Down
24   Are Welfare and Labor Reforms Affecting Domestic Demand in Germany?
24   Existing Home Sales Down
24   Chain Store Sales Soft
23   Deflation in Hong Kong Coming to an End?
23   ECRI Leading Indicators Soft
20   Energy Prices Rise as World Demand Increases, But US Energy Efficiency Alleviates Some Impact
19   Leading Indicators Fell
19   Philadelphia Fed Index Moderates, But Still Strong Historically
19   Initial Jobless Claims Edge Lower Again
18   Mortgage Applications Reach Highest in 3 Months
17   ZEW Index of Investor Sentiment in Germany
17   Industrial Production Increases Less than Expected, But Factories Regain Some Vigor
17   July Housing Starts Reverse June Drop
17   CPI Falls 0.1% in July; "Core" Also Weak
16   The Netherlands' Second Quarter Decline in GDP - A Result of Statistical Errors?
16   Housing Market Index Bounces Back
16   Net Foreign Purchases of Securities in US Markets Gain in June as Sales Fall
16   Empire State Index Slows 23 Points for August
13   Steady Growth in European GDP; Japanese Figure Disappoints
13   Big Gain in Chinese Retail Sales
13   U.S. Trade Deficit A New Record
13   Finished Producer Prices Tame, But Crude Prices Soar
13   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down on Reduced Expectations
12   U.S. Retail Sales Up
12   Import Prices Up Slightly
12   Initial Claims For Jobless Insurance Slip Again
12   GDP Gains Continue in Germany, France; Netherlands Growth Pauses
11   OECD Leaders Again Flat
11   Small Business Optimism Recovered
11   Crude Oil Prices Surge, Gasoline Prices Dip
10   German Trade Balance Declines In June But Is Up Substantially For The Quarter
10   FOMC Raised Interest Rates Again
10   U.S. Productivity Growth Surprisingly Strong in 2Q
10   Chain Store Sales Inch Higher
09   U.K. Producer Prices Up Sharply in July: Further Interest Rate Increase in September?
09   June Machinery Orders in Japan Point to Continued Expansion in the Economy
06   U.S. Payroll Growth Weak, Slowdown Widespread
05   Initial Claims For Jobless Insurance Down
04   European Retail Sales Rebound in June; New Accession Countries Show Vigorous Trend
04   July U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Rebounded
04   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Recovered, Employment Index Down Sharply
04   Factory Inventories Up, Bottlenecks Are Few
04   Mortgage Applications Slipped
03   U.S. Personal Income Growth Slowed
03   Challenger Layoffs Up A Bit
03   Chain Store Sales Up Again
02   Global Manufacturing Performance Improves in July
02   ISM Factory Index Recovered in July
02   U.S. Construction Spending Dipped

July 2004
30   2Q GDP Growth Slowed, Inflation Up
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Recovered
30   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Up
30   Help-Wanted Advertising Still Stalled
29   2Q'04 Employment Cost Index As Expected
29   Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Tick Up
28   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Up But Below Projections
28   Mortgage Applications Tick Up
27   Consumer Confidence Rose Further
27   New Home Sales Off Slightly
27   Chain Store Sales Up Again
26   June Department Store Sales in Japan Suggest Deflation Continues
26   Existing Home Sales Another Record High
23   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Backpedaled in June
23   Gasoline & Crude Oil Prices Up
23   Mass Layoffs Bounce Up
22   Leading Indicators Fell
22   Initial Claims For Unemployment Insurance Down
21   Demographic Shifts in Japan
21   Consumer's 1Q Debt Service Burden Lower, But ...
21   Mortgage Applications Slump
20   India's Trade Deficit Sets a Record in June
20   Housing Starts Fell Sharply
20   Housing Market Index Dipped
20   Chain Store Sales Ticked Higher
19   German & Swiss PPI Rise Modestly; Inflation Potential Unclear
19   Stock Market Rise Rebuilt Wealth
16   Foreign Purchases of U.S. Securities Ease in May Amid Wide Volatility
16   CPI Rose Slightly More Than Expected
16   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Edged Higher
15   Brazil's Retail Sales Up 10% in May
15   Producer Prices Fell Unexpectedly
15   U.S. Industrial Production Fell
15   Initial Claims For Jobless Insurance Rebounded
15   Philadelphia Fed Index Up
15   Empire State Index Up To Five Month High
15   U.S. Business Inventories Continue Accumulation
14   CPI Inflation Still Restrained in Several Countries
14   U.S. Retail Sales Pause
14   Import Prices Slipped
14   Mortgage Applications Backpedal
13   Inflation as Measured by Harmonized Indexes of Consumer Prices (HICP) Rises in the United Kingdom, France and Spain
13   U.S. Trade Deficit Eased
13   Small Business Optimism Fell Again
13   Chain Store Sales Unchanged
12   A Mixed Picture of Industrial Production Trends Outside the United States
12   OECD Leaders Wobble
09   China's Industrial Production "Slows" to 16.2% Growth
09   Manufacturers Expect Improved Growth: Profits Firm
08   EuroCOIN Indicator Points to Firm Q2 Growth in Europe
08   Initial Claims For Jobless Insurance Dropped Sharply
07   German Factory Orders Gain Further, Pushed by Foreign Demand
07   Chain Store Sales Firmed
07   Mortgage Applications Jumped As Rates Fell
06   Price Rises Beginning to Accelerate in Pacific Rim Countries
06   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Down, Employment At Record High
06   Challenger Layoffs Lowest In A Year
02   Global Manufacturing Growth Plateaus in June
02   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Weak Last Month
02   Factory Inventory Accumulation Hitting a Stride
02   U.S. Job Growth Took A Breather In June
01   Japanese Industry Improves Further in Q2
01   Initial Claims Unemployment Insurance Stable

June 2004
30   FOMC Raised Interest Rates; 1st Time Since May 2000
30   Interconnected Global Labor Trends Impact Consumer Confidence
30   Mortgage Applications Slide
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Backpedaled
29   French Business Turns More Confident on Production Trends, but a Growing Proportion Predict Rising Prices
29   Chain Store Sales Slide Big
29   Consumer Confidence Rose to 2-Year High in June
28   Retail Sales in Japan Decline in May. Does This Mean a Decline in Second Quarter Total Household Spending?
28   U.S. Personal Income Firm
25   Consumer Prices Still Weak in Japan
25   Higher Imports Reduced Estimate of 1Q GDP Growth
25   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Up
25   Existing Home Sales Rose To Record High
25   Mass Layoffs Down Sharply
24   British Industry Survey Suggests Recovery Near
24   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Rebound
24   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Fell Unexpectedly
24   Lower Prices (?) Spurred May New Home Sales To Record High
24   Help-Wanted Advertising Up A Bit
23   Japanese Exports and Imports Both Grow in May
23   Mortgage Applications Drift At Low Level
22   Signs of Increased Confidence Among German Investors and Italian Consumers
22   Producer Price Inflation in the Baltic Countries
22   Chain Store Sales Rose As Gasoline Prices Fell
21   ECRI Leading Indicators Slow
18   U.S. Current Account Deficit A New Record
18   Italy Industrial Orders Gain as Euro Softens
17   Hong Kong Employment Rises, But Underemployment Still High
17   PPI Jumped Again in May
17   Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Down
17   Leading Indicators Signal Further Growth
17   Philadelphia Fed Index Firmed
16   Inflation in All of Europe Higher with Energy Price Boost
16   Housing Starts Slipped
16   Housing Market Index Dipped
16   U.S. Industrial Production Surged Again
16   OECD Leaders Rose
15   Another Hike in the Offering for the UK Bank Rate?
15   Gasoline Fueled Strong CPI Gain
15   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improved in Mid-June
15   Manpower Index of US Hiring Intentions Held The High Ground
15   Empire State Index Firmer Than Expected
15   U.S. Business Inventories Up Again
15   Chain Store Sales Up
14   Recovery in Manufacturing Activity in the Pacific Rim Widens with Indonesian Report of Sharp Rise
14   U.S. Retail Sales Lifted By Autos & Gasoline
14   U.S. Trade Deficit Deeper Still
11   Layoffs Associated with "Movement of Work": New BLS Series
11   Home Price Inflation Cooled
10   Australia Employment Maintains Uptrend, Despite Decrease in May
10   U.S. Budget Deficit Shrunk
10   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Rose
10   Import Price Jump Led By Oil & Commodities
09   German CPI has largest 12-Month rise in 2 years, due to energy, government-regulated sectors
09   Mortgage Applications At Two Year Low
09   The Future Course of Interest Rates
08   Small Business Optimism Slipped
08   Chain Store Sales Inched Higher
07   IP in Emerging Countries Outpaces that of Western Europe
07   Gasoline & Crude Oil Prices Down
04   Canada Labor Market Improves Further
04   U.S. Non-farm Payroll Growth Strong & Broad Based
03   Euro-Zone Services Activity Picks Up in May
03   Factory Inventory Accumulation Continued
03   1Q04 U.S. Productivity Revised Up
03   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Edge Lower
03   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Up
03   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Fell, Hiring Rose
02   Rebound in German Retail Sales
02   Mortgage Applications Down Further
02   Chain Store Sales Slip for Third Week in a Row
01   Purchasing Managers Say Manufacturing in the Euro-12 Area Rose in May to the Highest Level Since October 2000
01   ISM Factory Index Up Slightly
01   U.S. Construction Spending Strong
01   Challenger Layoffs Ticked Up Again

May 2004
28   Q1 GDP in Switzerland, Denmark and Hong Kong
28   Japan Employment and Consumer Spending Have Big Gains in April
28   U.S. Personal Income Up More Than Expected
28   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down in May
28   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Again Strong
27   Steadying GDP Trends in Brazil, Philippines; Investment Grows
27   Q1 2004 GDP Revised Up Slightly, Corporate Profit Growth Slowed
27   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Dip
27   Help-Wanted Advertising Down Again
26   Gross Domestic Product Growth Moderates in 3 Countries, but Key Sectors Remain Firm
26   New Home Sales Down
26   Mortgage Applications & Business Borrowing Down
26   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Down More Than Expected, But ...
25   A Mixed Picture in European Confidence as Oil Prices Rise and Stock Markets Fall
25   Consumer Confidence Held The Higher Ground
25   Existing Home Sales Rose Unexpectedly to Near-Record
25   Chain Store Sales Lower Again As Gasoline Prices Rose Further
24   Chile's Gross Domestic Product Increases 1% in Q1 of 2004. Exports of Copper Play a Major Role
24   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Up
21   Some Demand and Supply Factors in the US Oil Market
20   Canadian CPI Picks Up with Energy; Core Inflation Remains Low
20   Leading Indicators Uptrend Firm
20   Philadelphia Fed Index Down, Hiring Up
20   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Up
19   Employment Stabilizes in 3 Countries, but Unemployment Unimproved
19   Mortgage Applications Fell Further
19   Gasoline Prices Set Another Record At $2.02
18   Strong Growth in Asia excl China Beginning to Lessen Deflationary Tendencies
18   Housing Starts Down As Expected
18   Housing Market Index Unchanged
18   Chain Store Sales Slipped
18   Empire State Index Down
17   With Positive Balances on Current and Financial Accounts Japan Continues to Pile Up Foreign Exchange Reserves
14   Upturn in Spain's CPI Led by Energy, as Euro Falls
14   Consumer Prices Rose Less Than Forecast, But ...
14   U.S. Industrial Production Jumped
14   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Unchanged
14   U.S. Budget Swung to a Small Surplus in April
14   U.S. Business Inventories Rose Further
13   Good Q1 Gains in GDP in 4 European Countries
13   U.S. Retail Sales Moderate
13   PPI Jumped 0.7% in April
13   Jobless Claims Up A Bit More Than Expected
12   U.S. Trade Deficit Another Record in March
12   Food Lifted Non-oil Import Prices
12   Mortgage Applications Tumble. Interest Rates Up Further
12   Two-Way Trade Gains in Canada, France and Hungary
11   Fears of Higher Rates Cause Turmoil in Foreign Exchange Markets
11   JOLTS Signals Improved Hiring
11   Chain Store Sales Up Despite Rise In Gas Price
11   Small Business Optimism Up With Pricing Power
10   Current European CPIs Show no Sign of Rising Inflation but Consumer Expectations and High Oil Prices Pose Upside Risks
10   OECD Leaders Up Again, Tone Firmer
07   Canada Labor Market Sustains Gains; Fares Better than U.S.
07   U.S. Non-farm Payroll Growth in Gear
06   German Industry Relying on Foreign Demand
06   Jobless Claims Lowest Since October 2000
06   1Q 2004 U.S. Productivity Growth Firm
06   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Disappointing
05   Growth Steady in Euro-Zone Service Sector after Slowing in March
05   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Reached Another New High
05   Mortgage Applications Up As Interest Rates Moved Higher
04   French Consumer Confidence Up Slightly in April
04   Factory Orders Surged, Inventories Up
04   Challenger Layoffs Ticked Higher
04   Chain Store Sales Jumped Last Week
03   Rise in Manufacturing in the Euro Zone Beats Consensus as Export Orders Climb
03   ISM Factory Index About Unchanged
03   U.S. Construction Spending Jumped on Public Sector Surge

April 2004
30   More Japanese Labor Data Extend Mixed Improvement
30   U.S. Personal Income & Spending Rose Moderately
30   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improved Late in April, But Fell For The Month
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Strong
29   Business Sentiment Up in Italy, Down in France
29   1Q04 GDP Light at 4.2%
29   Benefits Drove 1Q'04 Employment Cost Index
29   Jobless Claims Down
29   Help-Wanted Advertising Dipped
28   Consumer Sentiment Gains in Czech Republic, Slovakia & Sweden
28   Chicago Fed Nat'l Activity Index Slipped in March
28   Gasoline Prices at Record
28   Mortgage Applications Ticked Up
27   Japanese Consumer Confidence Rises Sharply
27   Existing Home Sales Jumped to Second Highest on Record
27   Consumer Confidence Jumped On Improved Assessment of Job Market
27   Chain Store Sales Slip
26   German IFO Business Climate Survey Surprises on the Up Side but Expectations Component Continues to Decline
26   New Home Sales Continue to Rise
23   UK GDP Growth Eases as Industrial Production Falls; Services Remain Vigorous
23   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Soar, Revisions Up
22   Unemployment Rates on Varying Paths in Israel, Poland & Russia
22   PPI Goosed By Food & Light Trucks
22   Jobless Claims Down
21   Trade Expanding in Japan, Italy & India
21   Mortgage Applications Fell Further, Rates Continued to Rise
20   German Investors and Analysts Losing Confidence in Germany's Recovery
20   Chain Store Sales Jump
19   France's Current Account Balance Improves in February, but It Has a Long Way to Go to Reach Previous Highs
19   Leading Indicators Continued Uptrend
16   UK Employment Up, Unemployment Down in Latest 2 Monthly Reports
16   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down
16   U.S. Industrial Production Fell With Lower Utility Output
16   Housing Starts Strong
16   Housing Market Index Rebounded
15   Japanese Job Market Struggles Toward Recovery
15   Philadelphia Fed Index Recovered
15   Empire State Index Improved
15   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Jumped
14   Strong Euro Reduces Energy Impact on European Inflation
14   Consumer Prices Lifted By Shelter Costs
14   U.S. Trade Deficit Eased From Record
14   U.S. Budget Deficit Eased in March
14   Mortgage Applications Plunge As Interest Rates Rose
13   Is Deflation In Japan Starting To Subside?
13   U.S. Retail Sales Surge
13   Chain Store Sales Rose in Early April, But ...
13   Small Business Optimism Dipped
13   U.S. Business Inventories Up Again
12   Japan Piles Up Reserves As Its Current Account Balance Improves
12   OECD Leaders' Gain Slowed
08   Jobless Claims Lowest Since Early 2001
07   Import Prices Up Twice Expectations
07   Mortgage Applications for Purchase Jump, Refi's Drop
06   Germany Disappoints Again But Japan Provides Encouragement
06   Gasoline Prices Up, Crude Oil Down
06   Chain Store Sales Tick Higher
06   Challenger Layoffs Down Again
05   Expansion in the Service Industries in Euro-Zone Slows
05   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Set New High
02   BoJ Restructures TANKAN Survey to Match "New Economy"; March Results Better than Companies Expected
02   U.S. Non-farm Payrolls Soared
02   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Up Slightly
01   Global Manufacturing Expansion Continues, But Will Rising Energy Costs Hurt?
01   ISM Factory Index Rose Unexpectedly
01   Producer Prices Tame In February, Mostly
01   Jobless Claims Fell
01   U.S. Construction Spending Edged Lower

March 2004
31   Canada GDP Slowed in January
31   Mortgage Applications Eased As Rates Ticked Up
31   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Fell
31   Factory Orders & Inventories Rose
30   Chain Store Sales Flop
30   Consumer Confidence Remained Depressed
29   Home Prices Surged in 4Q03
26   Surprise Gain in U.S. Consumer Sentiment
26   Industry Prospects Tangle with Exchange Rates in Germany & UK
26   U.S. Personal Spending Growth Slowed
25   Jobless Claims Edge Upward, But Remain in 3-Year Low Ranges
25   Volume Gains & Cost Cutting Lift Q4 Corporate Profits
24   Q4 Pick-Up in Investment Helps South Korean Economy
24   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Up, Revisions Negative
24   New Home Sales Rose
24   Mortgage Applications Dipped
24   Chicago Fed National Activity Index Again Positive
23   Economic News from France, Italy and the Netherlands Suggests Lower Growth Prospects in the Euro Zone
23   Chain Store Sales Rose Further
22   Industrial Materials Prices Surge With Output
22   Hong Kong Property Markets Show Signs of Revival
19   Sluggish Demand Pushes Italy Trade into Deficit
19   ECRI Leading Indicators: Economic Growth Prospects Strong & Inflation Pressure Low
18   Euro-Zone Labor Costs Slower than in US
18   Philadelphia Fed Index Fell Again
18   Producer Prices Surged in January
18   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Lower
18   Leading Indicators Unchanged
17   Singapore Exports Lift Trade Surplus
17   Consumer Prices Rose Broadly
17   Mortgage Applications Surged Again
16   Manpower Index of US Hiring Intentions Up Sharply
16   FOMC Left Rates Unchanged
16   Housing Starts Fell Again
16   Housing Market Index Unchanged
16   Chain Store Sales Up Modestly
15   U.S. Industrial Production Firm Again
15   Empire State Index Down
12   U.S. Current Account Deficit Improved
12   U.S. Business Inventories Up Slightly
12   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Slipped
11   U.S. Budget Deficit Deeper
11   Inflation Slowing Generally; Price Trends Pushed by Complex of Local and External Forces
11   U.S. Retail Sales Firm
11   Import Prices Rose
11   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Down Again
10   Japan Current Account at Record, Bolstered by Services & Income Flows
10   U.S. Trade Deficit Set New Record
10   Mortgage Applications Spurred by Lower Rates
09   German Industrial Production for January Adds to Doubts Over the Strength of the Recovery
09   Chain Store Sales Dipped
09   Small Business Optimism Fell Again
09   Gasoline Prices Near Last Summer's Peak
08   Thai GDP Ends 2003 on a Strong Note
08   OECD Leaders Rose Again
08   U.S. Households' Net Worth Up Despite Credit Surge
05   Energy Output Lifts Norwegian Industrial Production
05   U.S. Non-farm Payroll Growth Slowed
04   Inflation Coming Under Control in Latin America
04   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Dip
04   Factory Inventories Up Again
04   4Q U.S. Productivity Growth Little Revised
03   Euro-Zone PMI for "Total Economy" Holds Up in February, But Jobs Weak
03   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Slipped
03   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Tread Water
03   Mortgage Applications Up for Third Week
02   Retail Sales in Germany Rise in January, the First Rise in Three Months
02   Chain Store Sales Nudge Higher
02   Challenger Layoffs Plunge
01   PMI Mfg for Euro-zone Declines in February but the Industry Remains in an Expansion Phase
01   U.S. Personal Income Up
01   ISM Factory Index Fell
01   U.S. Construction Spending Down

February 2004
27   Japan Sees Gains in Production, Jobs and Spending
27   4Q U.S. GDP Growth Revised Up
27   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improved Late in February
27   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Firm
26   Industry Outlook Improves in 4 Countries, but Some Consumers More Pessimistic
26   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Tick Up
26   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Fell, Revisions Positive
26   New Home Sales Down
26   Help-Wanted Advertising Flat
25   Consumer Prices Inflation Modest in France, India and South Africa
25   Mortgage Applications Up Again
25   Existing Home Sales Slip
25   Chicago Fed National Activity Index Quite Positive
24   Consumer Confidence Down Sharply
24   Chain Store Sales Held the High Ground
24   February Indicators of Confidence in Reporting Euro-zone Countries Present a Mixed Picture
23   Changing Patterns in Japanese Export Trade
23   Metals Prices Strong, Meats Down
20   Consumer Prices Boosted by Energy, Core Tame
19   Philadelphia Fed Index Down
19   Foreign Purchases of US Securities Set Record in 2003
19   Leading Indicators Up Trend Firmed
19   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Down
18   Japan GDP Surges 1.7% in Q4
18   Housing Starts Down With Temps
18   Housing Market Index Down Again in February
18   Mortgage Applications Up With More Refinancing
18   Chain Store Sales Up Again
17   Increases in Industrial Production in Russia Outpace Those in Western Europe and in the U.S.
17   U.S. Industrial Production Jumped
17   Empire State Index Rose Unexpectedly
16   Israeli Economy Increases in 2003 after Two Years of Decline
13   Modest Q4 Euro-zone Growth Led by Demand in UK and US
13   U.S. Trade Deficit Deepened
13   Import Prices Jump As Oil & Gas Prices Surge
13   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down
13   U.S. Budget Deficit Deepened
12   U.S. Retail Sales Fall Due To Lower Autos, Non-auto Strong
12   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Up Again
12   U.S. Business Inventories Rose
11   Small Business Optimism Dipped
11   Mortgage Applications Drop
10   Demand Conditions in the Importing Countries More Important than Exchange Rates in British Exports
10   OECD Leaders Firm
10   Chain Store Sales Jump
10   US Monetary Policy Analysis
09   Will Pressure Be Put on Asian Currencies to appreciate?
09   ECRI Leading Indicators Signal Economic Expansion
06   U.S. Non-farm Payrolls Disappoint Again
05   Initial Jobless Insurance Claims Up In Latest Week
05   U.S. Productivity Grew in 4Q
04   U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Below Expectations
04   Mortgage Applications Down Again
04   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Surged
04   Factory Orders & Shipments Up
03   Russian Economy Grows Over 7% in 2003. Inflation Still High at Close to 15%
03   Chain Store Sales Backpedal
03   Gasoline Prices Up After Brief Dip
03   Challenger Layoffs Up
02   Eurozone Manufacturing Activity Continues Expansion
02   U.S. Personal Income Growth Moderate
02   ISM Factory Index Cooled
02   U.S. Construction Spending Up

January 2004
30   4Q U.S. GDP Light at 4.0%
30   Chicago Purchasing Agents' Index Highest Since 1994
30   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Firmed Through January
29   Initial Claims for Jobless Insurance Flat
29   4Q 2003 Employment Cost Index Tame
29   Little Momentum in Help-Wanted Advertising
28   FOMC Statement Omits "Accommodation ... for a Considerable Period" Language
28   U.S. Durable Goods Orders Flat
28   New Home Sales Down
28   Mortgage Applications Slipped
27   Business Confidence Improves in Germany and the Netherlands but Dutch Consumer Confidence Weakens
27   Consumer Confidence Rebounded
27   Chain Store Sales Surged
26   Strong Growth Raises Prospects of Higher Interest Rates in the UK but the Strong Pound Suggests Restraint
24   Existing Home Sales Up, 2003 Sets Record
23   Metals Lead Gains in Commodity Prices
22   Leading Indicators Up for Ninth Month
22   Jobless Insurance Claims Dip
21   Housing Starts Strong
21   Housing Market Index Unchanged In December
21   Mortgage Applications Jumped Again
21   Chain Store Sales Off For Third Week
20   Business Sentiment in Germany Falls: Euro the culprit?
20   Empire State Index At A New High
19   Nov Exports in the Euro-zone Falter: Will the Euro Continue to Rise?
16   U.S. Industrial Production Edged Up
16   U.S. Business Inventories Accumulate
16   U.S. Consumer Sentiment Spiked Higher
15   U.S. Retail Sales Disappoint
15   Consumer Prices Tame, Core Weakest Since 1965
15   Jobless Insurance Claims Down
15   Philadelphia Fed Index Up Further
15   Small Business Optimism Up Further
14   Producer Prices Rose, Core Index Fell
14   U.S. Trade Deficit Narrowed Unexpectedly
14   Mortgage Applications Jumped as Interest Rates Slid
13   November Industrial Production Declines in the UK and France
13   Chain Store Sales Down Again
13   Import Prices Tame
12   German Industrial Production Rises in November: Export Demand Not Consumer Demand is the Catalyst
12   OECD Leaders Signal Further Growth
12   ECRI Weekly Leading Indicators Flat
09   U.S. Non-farm Payrolls Disappoint
08   Jobless Insurance Claims Ticked Up
07   Mortgage Applications Up Modestly
06   Russian Third Quarter 2003 Gross Domestic Product Is Up 6.2% 0ver a Year Ago
06   Incentives Spur U.S. Light Vehicle Sales
06   ISM Non-Manufacturing Index Fell Again
06   Challenger Layoffs Lower
06   Chain Store Sales Slip
06   Factory Orders and Inventories Fell
05   Activity in German Manufacturing Shows Strength
05   U.S. Construction Spending Strong
02   ISM Factory Index Up Further