Economy in Brief

The job openings rate increased to 3.9% during April after remaining at 3.8% for three months. The latest level equaled the record high. The private sector job openings rate increased to a record 4.2%. This rate compared to 2.2% in [...]

The job openings rate increased to 3.9% in April from 3.8% in March. The latest level equaled the record high. The private sector job openings rate increased to a record 4.2%. This rate compared to 2.2% in the public sector. The 4.7% [...]

The job openings rate increased to 3.9% during April after remaining at 3.8% for three months. The latest level equaled the record high. The private sector job openings rate increased to a record 4.2%. This rate compared to 2.2% in [...]

The OECD's own results for this month's report are, in my opinion, way too weak to show, or do much more than very vaguely hint, at stabilization in the U.S., China or elsewhere. But that is the headline that news services are picking [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Market Volume Index increased 9.3% last week (29.9% y/y) following a 4.1% decline during the week prior. Purchase applications jumped 11.7% (16.6% y/y) and more than [...]

Consumer credit outstanding jumped $29.7 billion during March (6.6% y/y) following a $14.1 billion February rise, revised from $17.2 billion. It was the fastest gain since November 2001. A $15.7 billion increase had been expected in [...]

The busiest driving season has given rise to further strength in gasoline prices. Regular gasoline prices increased to $2.34 per gallon during Memorial Day week (-15.9% y/y) following the prior week's jump to $2.30, according to the [...]

Nonfarm output per hour during Q1'16 fell 1.0% at an annual rate (+0.6% y/y) following a 1.7% Q4'15 shortfall, revised from -2.2%. A 1.5% decline had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. It was the fourth [...]