Economy in Brief

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its General Factory Sector Business Conditions Index improved in August to 2.0 from an unrevised -2.9 in July. This latest positive reading compares with negative figures throughout most [...]

The labor market remains firm. Initial unemployment insurance claims fell to 262,000 (-5.8% y/y) during the week ended August 13 following unrevised claims of 266,000 in the prior week. Claims remained near the lowest level since [...]

The table and chart array data on the beliefs and expectations of the financial experts in the monthly German ZEW Survey. The experts have a global perspective; as we look at their responses in August, we can get a sense of the sort [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Market Volume Index declined 4.0% (+31.5% y/y) last week following a 7.1% rise. Purchase applications fell 3.9% (+9.6% y/y), and have been declining steadily since [...]

Industrial output increased 0.7% during July (-0.5% y/y) following a 0.4% June gain, revised from 0.6%. A 0.3% rise in output had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Factory sector production rose 0.5% last month [...]

Regular gasoline prices remained steady last week and averaged $2.15 per gallon (-20.9% y/y). Prices were 25 cents lower than early-June, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Prices were down versus a 2014 high of $3.71 per [...]

Industrial output increased 0.7% during July (-0.5% y/y) following a 0.4% June gain, revised from 0.6%. A 0.3% rise in output had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Factory sector production rose 0.5% last month [...]

Housing starts increased 2.1% during July to 1.211 million units (SAAR) from 1.186 million in June, revised from 1.189 million. It was the highest level since February and 5.6% higher than one year earlier. Expectations were for 1.18 [...]