Economy in Brief: 2020

The per barrel price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil has weakened due to reduced demand from around the globe and increases in supply. It declined to $23.36 yesterday from an average $24.79 last week after averaging $32.34 in the [...]

The per barrel price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil has weakened due to reduced demand from around the globe and increases in supply. It declined to $23.36 yesterday from an average $24.79 last week after averaging $32.34 in the [...]

Typically when speaking of policymaking and central banks, we speak of interest rate levels. The chart and table memorialize how little room most central banks have had to work with as the coronavirus has struck and showed its hand. [...]

The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank indicated that these February figures likely were not much influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak. It reported that its National Activity Index (CFNAI) improved to 0.16 last month from -0.33 in January, [...]

The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank indicated tha

Germany's PPI had flared at the very start of the year but now just as suddenly as it rose it is backing off. The PPI that rose by 0.6% in January is now falling by 0.4% for an average increase of 0.1% over each of the last two [...]

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that sales of existing homes during February jumped 6.5% (7.2% y/y) to 5.770 million (AR) from 5.420 million in January, revised from 5.460 million. It was the highest level of sales [...]

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that sales of existing homes during February jumped 6.5% (7.2% y/y) to 5.770 million (AR) from 5.420 million in January, revised from 5.460 million. It was the highest level of sales [...]