Economy in Brief: 2007

Factory inventories inched up just 0.1% during December after a slowed 0.2% November gain. The 0.6% increase in factory inventories during 4Q06 was the slowest since 3Q05. Primary metals inventories actually fell during the last two [...]

The non-manufacturing sector Business Activity Index rose more than expected to 59.0 last month and more than reversed the 1.6 point decline during December. Consensus estimates had been for a lesser gain to 57.0 and the figures from [...]

The University of Michigan's final reading of consumer sentiment during January remained quite solid versus December at 96.9 (Q1 1966 = 100). The reading fell, however, from the mid-month read of 98.0. The reading of current [...]

The University of Michigan's final reading of consumer sentiment during January remained quite solid versus December at 96.9 (Q1 1966 = 100). The reading fell, however, from the mid-month read of 98.0. The reading of current [...]

In January, U.S. sales of light vehicles eased 0.1% from the prior month to 16.73M units, according to the Autodata Corporation. This was 4.6% below January 2006. There were offsetting moves in trucks and cars. Total truck sales came [...]

Nonfarm payrolls grew by 111,000, an increase that was short of the Consensus forecast for a 140,000 rise, but the prior two months' gains were upwardly revised by a collective 81,000. The unemployment rate increased last month to [...]

Nonfarm payrolls grew by 111,000, an increase that was short of the Consensus forecast for a 140,000 rise, but the prior two months' gains were upwardly revised by a collective 81,000. The unemployment rate increased last month to [...]

The ISM Manufacturing Index fell back below 50 in January to 49.3, reversing December's gain and confounding forecasts of a further gain to over 51. Readings above 50 indicate that activity is expanding at half or more of the [...]