Economy in Brief: 2018

Consumer credit outstanding increased $13.89 billion (5.3% y/y) during January following a $19.21 billion December rise, revised from $18.44 billion. It was the weakest monthly increase since September. An $18.0 billion rise had been [...]

French trade trends show a bigger current account deficit in January and a larger deficit on trade. Exports fell in January as imports rose. Over three months trade trends have reversed as imports are outpacing exports unlike the [...]

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened to $56.6 billion in January from $53.9 billion in December, revised from $53.1 billion. A $54.1 billion deficit had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Exports [...]

Output per hour in the nonfarm business sector remained stable (revised from -0.1%) during Q4'17 following a 2.6% Q3 rise. A 0.1% slip had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Output rose at a 3.2% rate (3.2% y/y) [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls increased 235,000 during February following a 244,000 January gain, revised from 234,000. A 200,000 rise had been expected in the Action Economics [...]

Oil prices continue to try to work some inflation mischief in the background, but OECD area inflation in January ticked lower to log a 2.2% gain over 12 months, a tick below its December pace of 2.3%. The core inflation rate also [...]

Manufacturers' orders declined 1.4% (+6.6% y/y) during January following a 1.8% December rise, revised from 1.7% reported initially. Total factory orders excluding transportation improved 0.4% (6.5% y/y), the weakest rise since June. [...]

Retail gasoline prices of $2.56 per gallon last week (9.4% y/y) were little-changed versus the prior two weeks, up from the early-2016 lows near $1.76 per gallon. Prices have moved roughly sideways since September. Haver Analytics [...]