Economy in Brief

The National Association for Business Economics forecast for 2.2% real U.S. economic growth next year compared to 2.3% in the last survey. This year's estimate also held fairly steady at 1.6%. The gains follow 2.6% in 2015 and a 2014 [...]

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, [...]

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Business Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) rebounded to 57.2 during November from an unrevised 54.8 in October. The latest level was the highest since October 2015, [...]

The EMU services gauge finalized shows a lift to 53.8 in November from 52.8 in October. The services, manufacturing and total PMI sector gauges are above their 12-month, six-month and three-month values in November, signaling ongoing [...]

The PPI is off to the races. It is underpinned by oil and oil is underpinned by a new OPEC agreement. We will have to wait and see on OPEC which has in recent years talked a much better game than it has played. The cartel and friends: [...]

Nonfarm payroll employment increased 178,000 (1.6% y/y) during November following revised gains of 142,000 and 208,000 in October and September. These had been reported as 161,000 and 191,000, respectively. A 177,000 rise in [...]

Nonfarm payroll employment increased 178,000 (1.6% y/y) during November following revised gains of 142,000 and 208,000 in October and September. These had been reported as 161,000 and 191,000, respectively. A 177,000 rise in [...]

Total sales of light vehicles during November eased 0.8% (-2.1% y/y) to 17.87 million units (SAAR) from a downwardly revised 18.02 million units in October, revised from 18.29 million units according to Autodata. Pacing the decline [...]