Economy in Brief

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services narrowed at year-end, but deepened slightly in all of last year. The December deficit fell to $44.3 billion from $45.7 billion during November, revised from $45.2 billion. A $45.0 billion [...]

Germany's real order volume surged by 5.2% as German domestic orders spurted by 6.7% month-to-month and foreign orders rebounded to gain 3.9%. Orders have come to show huge changes in recent months as the 6.7% domestic gain in [...]

The Labor Market Conditions Index (LMCI) from the Federal Reserve Board includes 19 indicators of labor market activity, covering the broad categories of unemployment and underemployment. These include jobs, workweeks, wages, [...]

Manufacturing sector orders increased 1.3% during December (2.0% y/y) following a 2.3% November decline. Durable goods orders eased 0.5% (-0.7% y/y). Transportation sector orders fell 2.5% (-5.7% y/y) with a 64.0% plunge in defense [...]

The global PMI services gauges show that both manufacturing and services are on an upswing globally. The global services sector has a 76th percentile standing. The global total PMI gauge had an 86th percentile standing in January. [...]

The job market started the new year on a firm footing. Nonfarm payroll employment increased 227,000 (1.5% y/y) following increases of 157,000 and 164,000, previously reported as 156,000 and 204,000. The latest gain was the strongest [...]

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Business Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) decreased to 56.5 in January from 56.6 during December. December was revised from 57.2. January's value again represents a [...]

The job market started the new year on a firm footing. Nonfarm payroll employment increased 227,000 (1.5% y/y) following increases of 157,000 and 164,000, previously reported as 156,000 and 204,000. The latest gain was the strongest [...]