Economy in Brief

Japan's consumer confidence index fell for the second month in a row. The confidence reading for May sits in the 48th percentile of its longer historic queue of data back to 1992. The raw reading of 41.4 is itself a diffusion reading [...]

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index increased to 98.3 during May from an unrevised 96.9 in April. The reading was the highest since December. The percentage of firms [...]

Gasoline prices remained unchanged last week at an average $2.78 per gallon at the pump (-24.3% y/y). They were at the highest level since early-December, roughly one-third higher versus the low of $2.04 late in January. Haver [...]

The Labor Market Condition Index (LMCI), from the Federal Reserve Board, provides a broad-based measure of the U.S. job market. Through December, it showed tightening conditions. During the winter, however, indications of slack [...]

The Labor Market Condition Index (LMCI), from the Federal Reserve Board, provides a broad-based measure of the U.S. job market. Through December, it showed tightening conditions. In the winter months, however, indications of slack [...]

The Labor Market Condition Index (LMCI), from the Federal Reserve Board, provides a broad-based measure of the U.S. job market. Through December, it showed tightening conditions. During the winter, however, indications of slack [...]

The National Association for Business Economics forecast of 2.9% growth in U.S. real economic activity in 2016 was unrevised from expectations posted three months ago. Expected growth of 2.4% this year was, however, lowered from 3.1%. [...]

German capital goods sector turns sharply higher as the rest of IP continues to struggle. Industrial output rose by 0.9% in April after a 0.4% decline in March. Overall IP growth is advancing on all horizons with growth in a 3.4% to [...]