Economy in Brief: August 2016

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Business Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) eased to 55.5 during July after jumping to 56.5 in June. Expectations had been for 56.0 in the Action Economics Forecast [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that nonfarm private sector payrolls increased 179,000 (1.9% y/y) during July following a 176,000 June gain, revised from 172,000. So far this year, payrolls rose an average 184,000 [...]

Total sales of light vehicles during July jumped 6.8% versus June (1.7% y/y) to 17.88 million units (SAAR). Sales had declined in four of the prior five months, and the latest level was the highest level since November 2015. [...]

Regular gasoline prices averaged $2.16 per gallon last week (-19.7% y/y), down two cents from the week earlier. Prices were 24 cents lower than early last month, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Prices were down versus a [...]

PPI inflation is decidedly higher in the EMU. While its gain in June is less than its monthly gain in May, the three-month pace is at 2.7% compared to -2.4% over six months and -3.2% over 12 months. Sector inflation is rising for [...]

Personal consumption expenditures increased 0.4% (3.7% y/y) during June, the same as in May. The figures reflect Friday's revisions to the National Income & Product Accounts. A 0.3% June increase had been expected in the Action [...]

Global manufacturing gauges stuck close to the 50 breakeven mark or fell below it in July. Seven reporters in this group of 15 have values below 50. The highest MFG PMI value is from Germany at 53.8 and for the period from February of [...]

The value of construction put-in-place declined 0.6% (+0.3% y/y) during June after 0.1% May dip, revised from -0.8%. A 0.5% increase was expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Building activity in the private sector eased [...]