Economy in Brief

Japan's surplus is back in business and has given 12 positive readings in the last 12 months, making the return to surplus look like a lasting event. Japan's surplus position continues to make steadily higher despite the closure of [...]

The trends still largely tell the story as the EMU trade and current account deficits relative to GDP are massive and still trending higher. In September, the current account deficit for the EMU-19 fell to 25.3 billion euros from 29.1 [...]

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reported that its index of regional manufacturing sector business activity declined to 1 during November from an unrevised 6 during each of the prior two months. That still represented [...]

The Conference Board's Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators improved 0.1% during October (1.1% y/y) following an unrevised 0.2% September increase. The gain matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The [...]

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its General Factory Sector Business Conditions Index remained positive in November. At 7.6, it was fourth consecutive reading above zero, and followed an unrevised 9.7 in October. It was [...]

Labor market improvement is nowhere more evident than in fewer claims for jobless insurance. Initial claims for unemployment insurance declined to 235,000 (-14.5% y/y) during the week ended November 12 following an unrevised fall to [...]

The consumer price index increased 0.4% (1.6% y/y) during October following an unrevised 0.3% rise. It was the strongest increase in six months, and matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Prices excluding food & [...]

Housing starts increased 25.5% (23.3% y/y) during October to 1.323 million (AR) following a September decline to 1.054 million, revised from 1.047 million. It was the highest level of starts since August 2007. Expectations were for [...]