Tom Moeller

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106a.jpg" width="353">
Challenger, Grey &amp; Christmas reported that job cut announcements in December rose for the fourth consecutive month. The 8.6% rise versus November to 107,822 pulled the three month average of job cut announcements up to 96,134 (-8.6% y/y).
For the year, job cut announcement rose 3.1%, the first annual increase since 2001.
An increased level of job cuts in government dominated the December report. Declines in layoff announcements were widespread throughout other industries.
During the last ten years there has been an 84% (inverse) correlation between the three month moving average of announced job cuts and the three month change payroll employment.
Job cut announcements differ from layoffs. Many are achieved through attrition, early retirement or just never occur.
Challenger also reported a sharp m/m drop in announced hiring plans (102.1% y/y).

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYS/@S3/@S301/@S301.HTM">Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Announced Job Cuts</td>
<td>107,822</td>
<td>99,279</td>
<td>-1.3%</td>
<td>1,072,054</td>
<td>1,039,935</td>
<td>1,236,426</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Challenger, Grey & Christmas reported that job cut announcements in December rose for the fourth consecutive month. The 8.6% rise versus November to 107,822 pulled the three month average of job cut announcements up to 96,134 (-8.6% [...]

Challenger Layoffs Up Again in December

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106b.jpg" width="353">
Non-farm payrolls in December grew just 108,000. Nevertheless, when averaged with a November increase revised up to 305,000 from 215,000 reported initially, the gain was a sharp improvement from the prior two months&#39; average of just 21,000. Consensus expectations had been for a 200,000 increase in December. The average monthly increase in payrolls during 2005 was 179,300 versus 123,000 during 2004.
From the household survey the unemployment rate fell to 4.9%, a bit lower than expected. Employment rose 168,000 (1.9% y/y) after a 14,000 decline in November, revised shallower from the initial report. The labor force fell 30,000 (1.3% y/y).
Factory sector payrolls increased 18,000 (-0.4% y/y). The average gain in factory payrolls during the last three months of 13,000 is the best showing since mid-2004. An improvement in the industry breadth of gain during that period to 54.8% reflected gains in durable manufacturing but not nondurables.
Construction employment fell 9,000 (+3.5% y/y) following an upwardly revised 42,000 increase in November.
Private service producing payrolls rose a modest 82,000 (1.8% y/y) last month though the November increase was revised to 228,000 from 144,000. Retail trade jobs declined for the fourth month in the last five (+0.6% y/y) and job losses were widespread amongst industries. Education &amp; health services jobs increased 25,000 (2.1% y/y) and remained on the earlier pace while professional &amp; business services jobs rose 33,000(2.9% y/y). Jobs in financial services rose 12,000 (2.3% y/y) and leisure &amp; hospitality rose 23,000 (1.9% y/y) and November&#39;s increase was revised up sharply.
Average hourly earnings were a bit stronger than expected, rising 0.3%, but the prior month&#39;s gain was lessened. Factory sector earnings rose just 0.1% (2.3% y/y) following no change in November.
Higher education and economic growth from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago can be found <a href="http://www.chicagofed.org/publications/fedletter/cfljanuary2006_222a.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EB/@EB01/@EB01.HTM">Employment</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Payroll Employment</td>
<td>108,000</td>
<td>305,000</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Manufacturing</td>
<td>18,000</td>
<td>8,000</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
<td>-1.2%</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Average Weekly Hours</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.8</td>
<td>33.7 (Dec &#39;04)</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Average Hourly Earnings</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
<td>3.1%</td>
<td>2.8%</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Unemployment Rate</td>
<td>4.9%</td>
<td>5.0%</td>
<td>5.4% (Dec &#39;04)</td>
<td>5.1%</td>
<td>5.5%</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Non-farm payrolls in December grew just 108,000. Nevertheless, when averaged with a November increase revised up to 305,000 from 215,000 reported initially, the gain was a sharp improvement from the prior two months' average of just [...]

Shortfall in U.S. Payrolls Offset By Upward Revision

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106b.jpg" width="353">
Non-farm payrolls in December grew just 108,000. Nevertheless, when averaged with a November increase revised up to 305,000 from 215,000 reported initially, the gain was a sharp improvement from the prior two months&#39; average of just 21,000. Consensus expectations had been for a 200,000 increase in December. The average monthly increase in payrolls during 2005 was 179,300 versus 123,000 during 2004.
From the household survey the unemployment rate fell to 4.9%, a bit lower than expected. Employment rose 168,000 (1.9% y/y) after a 14,000 decline in November, revised shallower from the initial report. The labor force fell 30,000 (1.3% y/y).
Factory sector payrolls increased 18,000 (-0.4% y/y). The average gain in factory payrolls during the last three months of 13,000 is the best showing since mid-2004. An improvement in the industry breadth of gain during that period to 54.8% reflected gains in durable manufacturing but not nondurables.
Construction employment fell 9,000 (+3.5% y/y) following an upwardly revised 42,000 increase in November.
Private service producing payrolls rose a modest 82,000 (1.8% y/y) last month though the November increase was revised to 228,000 from 144,000. Retail trade jobs declined for the fourth month in the last five (+0.6% y/y) and job losses were widespread amongst industries. Education &amp; health services jobs increased 25,000 (2.1% y/y) and remained on the earlier pace while professional &amp; business services jobs rose 33,000(2.9% y/y). Jobs in financial services rose 12,000 (2.3% y/y) and leisure &amp; hospitality rose 23,000 (1.9% y/y) and November&#39;s increase was revised up sharply.
Average hourly earnings were a bit stronger than expected, rising 0.3%, but the prior month&#39;s gain was lessened. Factory sector earnings rose just 0.1% (2.3% y/y) following no change in November.
Higher education and economic growth from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago can be found <a href="http://www.chicagofed.org/publications/fedletter/cfljanuary2006_222a.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EB/@EB01/@EB01.HTM">Employment</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Payroll Employment</td>
<td>108,000</td>
<td>305,000</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Manufacturing</td>
<td>18,000</td>
<td>8,000</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
<td>-1.2%</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Average Weekly Hours</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.8</td>
<td>33.7 (Dec &#39;04)</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>33.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Average Hourly Earnings</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
<td>3.1%</td>
<td>2.8%</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Unemployment Rate</td>
<td>4.9%</td>
<td>5.0%</td>
<td>5.4% (Dec &#39;04)</td>
<td>5.1%</td>
<td>5.5%</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Challenger Layoffs Up Again in December 
by <a href="/comment/Moeller.html">Tom Moeller</a> January 6, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106a.jpg" width="353">
Challenger, Grey &amp; Christmas reported that job cut announcements in December rose for the fourth consecutive month. The 8.6% rise versus November to 107,822 pulled the three month average of job cut announcements up to 96,134 (-8.6% y/y).
For the year, job cut announcement rose 3.1%, the first annual increase since 2001.
An increased level of job cuts in government dominated the December report. Declines in layoff announcements were widespread throughout other industries.
During the last ten years there has been an 84% (inverse) correlation between the three month moving average of announced job cuts and the three month change payroll employment.
Job cut announcements differ from layoffs. Many are achieved through attrition, early retirement or just never occur.
Challenger also reported a sharp m/m drop in announced hiring plans (102.1% y/y).

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYS/@S3/@S301/@S301.HTM">Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Announced Job Cuts</td>
<td>107,822</td>
<td>99,279</td>
<td>-1.3%</td>
<td>1,072,054</td>
<td>1,039,935</td>
<td>1,236,426</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Canada Employment Eases in December, But Only in Elderly Age Group 
by <a href="/comment/Stone.html">Carol Stone</a> January 6, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106c.jpg" width="353">
Canada&#39;s labor market was fairly firm in 2005, despite a modest reversal in employment for December, data for which were published this morning by Statistics Canada. In December, employment fell by 2,100 from November, but both November and October had good gains, so that Q4 as a whole added 97,000 jobs, the best since Q2 2004. Consequently, unemployment in Canada has come down. The 6.4% in November was the lowest since December 1974, with this December&#39;s 6.5% still the lowest since early 1975.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060106d.jpg" width="353">
The age distribution of employment in December suggests that the slight reversal in total employment should have only limited overall economic impact. Jobs still increased in the major livelihood-earning segment, ages 15-64, with the decline more than accounted for among the elderly population. The former mid-range group increased in all but one month of 2005; the gains were not as large as in some months of the prior couple of years, but they were clearly steadier.
For the elderly population, the last four years have seen remarkable job growth accompanying a major increase in labor force participation. We can calculate a participation rate for the population over 65 and find that it has risen from 6% of that population in 2000 and 2001 to 8% in 2005. At the same time, the growth of that population group turned upward from a long, secular decline, bottoming at 1.56% in the year to January 2000 and reaching 2.17% in the year to December 2005. So the population is growing and so are employment opportunities for this age group. This process paused in November and December, but we&#39;d surmise that it will resume soon. 

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/CANSIM/@C6/@C6.HTM">Canada</a> (SA, Thous or %)</th>
<th scope="col">Dec 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Nov 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Oct 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Dec 2004</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Employment, Age 15+</td>
<td>16,296</td>
<td>16,298</td>
<td>16,267</td>
<td>16,063</td>
<td>16,175</td>
<td>15,952</td>
<td>15,664</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp;</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>69</td>
<td>1.4%</td>
<td>1.4%</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
<td>2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Age 15-64</td>
<td>15,988</td>
<td>15,974</td>
<td>15,943</td>
<td>15,763</td>
<td>15,868</td>
<td>15,664</td>
<td>15,393</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp;</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>1.4%</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Age 65+</td>
<td>307</td>
<td>323</td>
<td>324</td>
<td>300</td>
<td>307</td>
<td>287</td>
<td>271</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp;</td>
<td>-16</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>5.9%</td>
<td>13.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Unemployment Rate, Age 15+</td>
<td>6.5%</td>
<td>6.4%</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
<td>7.0%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>7.2%</td>
<td>7.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Age 15-64</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
<td>6.4%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>7.2%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>7.3%</td>
<td>7.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Carol Stone, CBE

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105e.jpg" width="353">
Today, January 5, a wide variety of data was reported by national statistical agencies and private sources all over the world. Some of these reports glean considerable press coverage, particularly if the results are a surprise, such as with German manufacturing orders: these orders grew again in November, when market forecasters had expected them to decline.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105f.jpg" width="353">
But Haver&#39;s databases, of course, carry far more background material on the economies of myriad countries. For instance, yesterday in this space, we highlighted the CPI of Thailand, a major release in a small country. Today we take the opposite approach, describing a secondary release in a major country, to wit, corporate profitability in the UK. The ONS publishes quarterly rates of return for total private non-financial corporations and some subsets of companies. Most prominently, oil companies are highlighted, referred to as &quot;UK continental shelf companies&quot;. Separately, manufacturing and service sector groups are shown. A few other miscellaneous sectors, such as construction, are not shown individually.
In Q3 2005, all private nonfinancial companies earned a 13.4% net return on their capital. This is down from 13.8% in Q2, but that was a 6-1/2 year high. The average for the last five years is 12.9%. Manufacturing companies earned just 6.2% on assets in Q3, following a somewhat higher 7.9% in Q2. This group has experienced basically flat returns in recent years, averaging about 7% since 2002. Services industries have higher rates of return, averaging 16.3% over the last four years, but these too are trendless, moving back and forth in a saw-tooth pattern.<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105g.jpg" width="353">
The breakout of the petroleum industry is informative. It shows that back in the early 1990s this sector had about the same magnitude return as the rest of UK industry. However, this relationship has changed markedly, with the &quot;Continental Shelf companies&quot; seeing far higher returns now, 36.3% in Q3. Annual data from ONS give some detail on the operating surpluses and capital that generate the return ratio. They indicate that the recent high rates of return are not, as one might think, due totally to higher oil prices. Specifically, since 2000, the UK oil industry has stopped expanding, as capital employed, shown in the third graph, has flattened. At the same time, sharply higher oil prices are surely responsible for 2005&#39;s further escalation of returns into the mid-30% range.
Normally, higher returns might be expected to prompt the renewed expansion of an industry. There are mixed signals about these prospects. Haver&#39;s OGJ database and OGJANN from the &quot;Oil and Gas Journal&quot; contain other broad data on the UK petroleum industry. Petroleum reserves in the UK are decreasing, and daily production of crude oil has fallen even into Q3. However, the so-called &quot;rig count&quot; of operating oil rigs shows a sustained upturn over the last six months. With this mixed picture about specific UK potential, perhaps what the high returns mean is more general, and perhaps they will be used for new kinds of energy development, not just the expansion of local output. 

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/UK/@U2/@U224/@U224.HTM">United Kingdom: Private Nonfin Corps: Net Rates of Return (%)</a></th>
<th scope="col">Q3 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Q2 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Q1 2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
<th scope="col">2002</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">All PNFCs</td>
<td>13.4</td>
<td>13.8</td>
<td>13.3</td>
<td>13.3</td>
<td>12.9</td>
<td>12.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">UK Continental Shelf</td>
<td>36.3</td>
<td>34.4</td>
<td>30.6</td>
<td>29.3</td>
<td>29.2</td>
<td>30.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Non-Continental Shelf</td>
<td>12.6</td>
<td>13.0</td>
<td>12.7</td>
<td>12.7</td>
<td>12.2</td>
<td>11.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Manufacturing</td>
<td>6.2</td>
<td>7.9</td>
<td>5.8</td>
<td>7.1</td>
<td>6.9</td>
<td>7.2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Services</td>
<td>16.6</td>
<td>16.5</td>
<td>17.3</td>
<td>16.3</td>
<td>16.5</td>
<td>16.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Today, January 5, a wide variety of data was reported by national statistical agencies and private sources all over the world. Some of these reports glean considerable press coverage, particularly if the results are a surprise, such [...]

UK Corporations' Profitability Still Firm, Led by High Oil Company Returns

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>

 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105d.jpg" width="353">
Chain store sales dipped 0.8% during the final week of 2005 according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey. The decline, however, followed three weeks of solid increase. Therefore, December sales on average gained 0.4%, double the November increase.
During the last ten years there has been a 51% correlation between the y/y change in chain store sales and the change in non-auto retail sales less gasoline, as published by the US Census Department. Chain store sales correspond directly with roughly 14% of non-auto retail sales less gasoline.
The leading indicator of chain store sales slipped 0.1% in the latest week and the December average was unchanged from November.
The ICSC-UBS retail chain-store sales index is constructed using the same-store sales (stores open for one year) reported by 78 stores of seven retailers: Dayton Hudson, Federated, Kmart, May, J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart.
The Redbook Research survey of chain store sales painted a weaker picture of yearend selling. In fact, weakness throughout the month left the December average of general merchandise sales 0.2% below November.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/surveyw/@S2/@S2.HTM">ICSC-UBS (SA, 1977=100)</a></th>
<th scope="col">12/31/05</th>
<th scope="col">12/24/05</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Total Weekly Chain Store Sales</td>
<td>464.0</td>
<td>467.6</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
<td>3.6%</td>
<td>4.7%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</html>

Chain store sales dipped 0.8% during the final week of 2005 according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey. The decline, however, followed three weeks of solid increase. Therefore, December sales on [...]

Chain Store Sales Dipped

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>

 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105c.jpg" width="353">
The Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector recovered in December about all that it lost in November. The 1.3 point gain to 59.8 followed an unrevised 1.5 point slip in November. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The latest reading was firmer than Consensus expectations for a rise to 59.0.
Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 53% correlation between the Business Activity Index and the q/q change in real GDP for services plus construction.
The new orders component rose for the third straight month and the employment index added marginally to a 4 point November rise to the highest level since August. Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 60% correlation between the level of the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the m/m change in payroll employment in the service producing plus the construction industries.
Pricing power fell for the third month to the lowest level since August. Since inception eight years ago, there has been a 70% correlation between the price index and the y/y change in the GDP Services chain price index.
ISM surveys more than 370 purchasing managers in more than 62 industries including construction, law firms, hospitals, government and retailers. The non-manufacturing survey dates only to July 1997, therefore its seasonal adjustment should be viewed tentatively.
Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector reflects a question separate from the subgroups mentioned above. In contrast, the NAPM manufacturing sector composite index is a weighted average five components.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EF/@EF03/@EF03.HTM">ISM Nonmanufacturing Survey</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Dec &#39;04</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Business Activity Index</td>
<td>59.8</td>
<td>58.5</td>
<td>63.9</td>
<td>60.1</td>
<td>62.4</td>
<td>58.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Prices Index</td>
<td>69.5</td>
<td>74.2</td>
<td>73.6</td>
<td>68.2</td>
<td>69.0</td>
<td>56.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</html>

The Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector recovered in December about all that it lost in November. The 1.3 point gain to 59.8 followed an unrevised 1.5 point slip in November. A reading above 50 indicates [...]

ISM: Activity Outside the Factory Sector Recovered

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105b.jpg" width="353">
Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell a sharp 35,000 to 291,000 in the last week of 2005 following an upwardly revised 7,000 increase the prior period. The latest level was the lowest since September 2000. Consensus expectations had been for 320,000 claims.
During the last ten years there has been a (negative) 75% correlation between the level of initial jobless insurance claims and the m/m change in payroll employment.
The four-week moving average of initial claims fell sharply to 316,750 (-4.0% y/y), the lowest level since August.
Continuing unemployment insurance claims increased 13,000 following the downwardly revised 75,000 spike during the prior week.
The insured rate of unemployment remained at 2.1% for the third week.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/WEEKLY/@W5/@W507/@W507.HTM">Unemployment Insurance (000s)</a></th>
<th scope="col">12/31/05</th>
<th scope="col">12/24/05</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Initial Claims</td>
<td>291</td>
<td>326</td>
<td>-15.9%</td>
<td>331</td>
<td>343</td>
<td>402</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Continuing Claims</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>2,718</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td></td>
<td>2,926</td>
<td>3,531</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell a sharp 35,000 to 291,000 in the last week of 2005 following an upwardly revised 7,000 increase the prior period. The latest level was the lowest since September 2000. Consensus [...]

Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Lowest Since 2000

<html>
<head>
<style>
.odd{
 background-color:#edf5ff;
}
.even{
 background-color:#dde5ef;
}
.grey1{
	background-color:#f0f0f0;
}
.grey2{
	background-color:#e2e2e2;
}
.grey3{
	background-color:#d4d4d4;
}
.grey4{
	background-color:#c6c6c6;
}
.grey5{
	background-color:#b8b8b8;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
 



<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060105a.jpg" width="353">
The Autodata Corporation reported that December US sales of light vehicles rose 9.1% to 17.17M units. The gain added to a 6.7% m/m rise in November but the increases were from an October level that was the most depressed since 1998. In addition, the increase left sales below December 2004 and the 2005 average of sales rose just 0.3% y/y and the annual level was down 2.8% from the record set in 2000. Consensus expectations had been for December sales of 16.8M.
Gasoline also moved higher at yearend with the average retail price at $2.24 per gallon (25.9% y/y), up four cents from the prior week and up a dime from the early December low. This week in spot market trading, gasoline is up another fourteen cents from the last week in December. The latest figures on the demand for gasoline indicate full recovery from declines during the Fall. 
Gauging the Size of Today&#39;s Price Shocks from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is available <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/publications/net/20060101/cover.pdf"> here</a>.
Sales of US made cars &amp; trucks rose 9.3% m/m in December (-5.3% y/y) while the 2005 sales average declined 0.2% from 2004 and fell 7.5% from the 2000 peak. Domestic truck sales rose 17.2% (-3.1% y/y) in December and the 2005 average fell 0.9%. Car sales slid 1.1% (-8.6% y/y) though the annual sales average increased 0.9%.
Sales of imported cars &amp; trucks increased 8.3% m/m (-0.3% y/y) in December and for the year rose 2.1%. Sales of imported trucks rose a sharp 12.5% (-4.7% y/y) and sales of imported autos rose 6.2% (2.3% y/y).
Import&#39;s share of the US light vehicle market slipped m/m in December to 21.0% and for the year increased to a record 20.4% versus 12.9% ten years ago. 

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@ED/@ED09/@ED0901/@ED0901.HTM">Light Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Mil. Units)</a></th>
<th scope="col">Dec</th>
<th scope="col">Nov</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Total</td>
<td>17.17</td>
<td>15.74</td>
<td>-4.3%</td>
<td>16.92</td>
<td>16.87</td>
<td>16.63</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Autos</td>
<td>7.64</td>
<td>7.56</td>
<td>1.7%</td>
<td>7.65</td>
<td>7.49</td>
<td>7.62</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Trucks</td>
<td>9.53</td>
<td>8.18</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td>9.27</td>
<td>9.37</td>
<td>9.01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

The Autodata Corporation reported that December US sales of light vehicles rose 9.1% to 17.17M units. The gain added to a 6.7% m/m rise in November but the increases were from an October level that was the most depressed since 1998. [...]

U.S. Vehicle Sales Recovered at Yearend, Along With Gas Price

Even with expected tariff-induced increases in inflation, BCFF forecasters look for a more aggressive round of monetary easing

USD/EUR exchange rate uncoupling from interest rate differential

Widespread downgrading of 2025 GDP outlook

Trade and fiscal policy uncertainty has exploded with the new administration

Much lower US electricity costs gives it a competitive advantage

Wage growth slowing in the US and Euro area; elevated and sticky in the UK

Stagflation-lite: Blue Chip forecasts below-trend growth and elevated inflation

US policy gyrations boosting policy uncertainty worldwide

Expected tariff hikes have boosted inflation expectations

US and Japan ended 2024 on solid ground in contrast to Europe

US economy expected to outperform other major economies in 2025

Only modest evidence of AI-related surge in US productivity growth

Previous Trump tariffs fading. A boost from new tariffs ahead?

Heavy US manufacturing states underperforming while Sun Belt states outperforming

Rising long-term yields a global phenomenon

US financial market concerns shifting from growth to inflation

Economic activity is picking up in the US but remains lackluster abroad

Policy uncertainty has surged since the US national elections.

Recent turnaround in US economic surprises leading to increases in rate-cut expectations

The outlook has brightened in the US, while it has dimmed for other major economies

Headline US PCE inflation elevated by sticky services prices

US and global equity prices have recently diverged

US leading global upturn in economic surprises

Blue Chip forecasters look for further significant monetary easing apart from Japan

Recent rise in global supply chain pressures could augur a pickup in global inflation pressures

Our global data offering is unparalleled in terms of coverage, quality, and organization. We offer 290+ databases from 2500 government and private sources, a wealth of key survey and forecast data covering the world’s economies, and a robust offering of archive databases that drive machine learning for big data applications.

Optimized for precision analytics, our data is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Office and all leading statistical packages through our DLX® software and platform independent HaverView™ website. We further offer direct database feeds, client server or cloud-based delivery, and RESTful API.


Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact us

A premier time series data platform for the global strategy, research, and quant communities. 

New York

London

Singapore

Tokyo

Economy in Brief

Viewpoints

Contact Us

Our Data

Our Products

What We Do

Our Authors

About Us

Data News

Resources

Release Calendars

Training Center

Webinars

Newsletters

Download Software

For Clients

Live Updates

Andrew Cates

**The global business cycle** 
The recent sharp decline in the Future Output Balance in the global composite PMI survey reflects a sudden deterioration in global business expectations. The sweeping tariffs, introduced in April 2025, have generated heightened uncertainty around trade policy and sparked fears of retaliatory actions from key trading partners. As a result, businesses worldwide are scaling back their expectations for future output, wary of rising costs, disrupted demand flows, and a broader shift toward protectionism that could undermine global economic momentum.

250507Z1.jpg

Note: The extreme declines in the Future Output Balance that were recorded in the early months of 2020 (at the height of the COVID pandemic) have been removed from this chart.

**Global supply chain pressures**
Still, despite the marked deterioration in global business expectations, this second chart below provides a reassuring counterpoint: as of now, there is little evidence that global supply chain pressures have materially intensified. Both the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index and the Baltic Exchange Dry Index remain relatively subdued, especially compared to the pandemic-era spikes of 2020–2022. While there has been heightened concern following the April 2025 US tariff announcements, these trade policy shifts have yet to translate into measurable physical disruption in logistics or freight rates. The stability of these indices suggests that although sentiment has taken a hit, global shipping networks and supply flows are, for now, absorbing the shock. However, this calm may prove fragile if the policy environment hardens further or retaliatory trade actions begin to compound the strain.

250507Z2.jpg

**Expectations for central banks’ policy rates** 
Adding to the picture of mounting economic caution, the latest Blue Chip Financial Forecasts survey reveals that expectations for policy easing over the next 12 months have become even more pronounced than in previous months. While earlier surveys had already pointed to a further extension of the global rate-cutting cycle, the latest results suggest forecasters now anticipate a deeper and more aggressive round of monetary easing—most notably from the US Federal Reserve, which is now expected to deliver nearly a full percentage point in rate cuts over the next 12 months. The sharp deterioration in business sentiment is reshaping the macro narrative: central banks are no longer simply guiding inflation lower, but are instead preparing to confront the risk of a deeper, demand-driven slowdown.

250507Z3.jpg

**Energy prices and inflation** 
Adding further context to the growing expectations for policy easing, oil prices have dropped sharply in recent weeks—driven by mounting concerns over global growth, as reflected in weakening business sentiment and softer demand indicators. The chart below provides a longer-run perspective on why this matters: energy prices have historically played a central role in shaping the global inflation trajectory. The strong positive correlation (r = 0.83) between median world energy price inflation and median core consumer price inflation underscores the powerful pass-through effects energy costs can have on broader price dynamics. While core inflation tends to be stickier, this historical relationship makes clear that sustained declines in energy prices often foreshadow broader disinflationary trends.

250507Z4.jpg

**Intangibles versus tangibles** 
Shifting focus from short-term cyclical risks to longer-term structural dynamics, the next chart below underscores a fundamental transformation in the composition of US investment: the economy has increasingly been built on intangibles. Over the past several decades, investment in intangible assets—such as software, intellectual property, R&D, and brand equity—has steadily climbed and, since the mid-2010s, has overtaken investment in both structures and equipment as a share of GDP. This shift reflects the rise of a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, but it also introduces new forms of vulnerability. Unlike physical capital, intangible assets rely heavily on trust, reputation, legal protections, and global openness. In this context, escalating trade frictions and a more confrontational US economic stance—as signalled by the recent tariff wave—risk eroding the goodwill and institutional credibility that underpin much of the value created by intangibles. If geopolitical uncertainty undermines the perceived reliability of US intellectual property protections or weakens global collaboration, it could pose a deeper structural challenge to future growth than any immediate cyclical downturn.

250507Z5.jpg

**Investment in Artificial Intelligence**
The centrality of intangibles to the US growth model is nowhere more evident than in the explosion of private investment in artificial intelligence. As this chart illustrates, global AI investment has surged over the past decade—reaching new highs in 2024—and the United States has consistently accounted for the lion’s share of that spending. This reflects not only America’s previous leadership in frontier technologies but also its dependence on intangible capital, from algorithms and data infrastructure to human expertise and institutional trust. However, this dominance also underscores the strategic stakes of current policy choices. In an environment of rising trade tensions and potential fragmentation, the foundations of US leadership in AI—cross-border collaboration, data openness, and global market access—could be at risk.

250507Z6.jpg

Financial market sentiment has rebounded in recent weeks, buoyed by signs of de-escalation in the US-led trade war and growing confidence that central banks—particularly the Federal Reserve—will step in with more rate cuts to cushion any fallout. Yet beneath the surface, a more sobering picture of the global economy persists. For example, latest PMI surveys reveal that global business expectations have slumped to their lowest levels since the pandemic, reflecting widespread unease about the growth outlook (chart 1). While supply chain pressures have so far remained contained, suggesting no repeat of the logistical chaos seen during the pandemic (chart 2), the latest Blue Chip Financial Forecasts survey reveals that forecasters are now pencilling in deeper and more widespread monetary easing than previously anticipated—an acknowledgment that demand is faltering (chart 3). Falling oil prices further reinforce this view: they are both a symptom of weakening global demand and a potential source of disinflation, reducing the urgency for central banks to maintain tight policy (chart 4). At the structural level, the US economy's increasing reliance on intangible assets—ranging from intellectual property to reputation—has made it more vulnerable to geopolitical frictions and the erosion of global trust (chart 5). This risk is compounded by America's dominant role in AI investment, a sector symbolic of both its economic strengths and its exposure to international perceptions (chart 6). The longer-term challenge, then, is not just navigating the current downturn, but ensuring that the institutional goodwill and cross-border openness that support the modern US economy are not sacrificed in a more fragmented and uncertain global order.

Charts of the Week: Relief Rally Meets Recession Risk

250507J1.jpg

250507K1.jpg

At today’s meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the target range for the Fed funds rate was left unchanged at 4.25% to 4.50%. This followed reductions at three consecutive meetings in the fall of 2024. Rates remain below the high of 5.25% to 5.50% in place in mid-September. Today’s target range matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey.

The statement following the meeting indicated that, “The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.”

“The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.”

The Fed continued, “The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage backed securities.”

250507L1.jpg

250507M1.jpg

- FOMC holds funds rate target at late-December level.
- Risk assessments include higher unemployment & inflation.

FOMC Targeted Funds Rate Range Is Unchanged; Increased Risks Acknowledged

Kathleen Stephansen, CBE

250507F4.jpg

250507G4.jpg

Consumer credit outstanding rose $10.2 billion (1.9% y/y) during March after declining by $0.6 billion (+1.7% y/y) during February, revised from a decline of $0.8 billion (+1.7% y/y. A $10.0 billion rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. As a percentage of disposable personal income, consumer credit was 22.4% in March, compared to 22.9% one year earlier.

Nonrevolving credit outstanding rose $8.3 billion (1.5% y/y) in March after easing $0.3 billion (1.3% y/y) in February. Nonrevolving credit held by depository institutions declined 7.8% y/y in March after declining 9.0% y/y in February. Finance company debt holdings rose 0.8% y/y, while credit union holdings eased 1.9% y/y in March. Nonrevolving debt held by the federal government rose 3.4% y/y.

In March, revolving credit outstanding, which includes credit cards, rose $1.9 billion (2.9% y/y) following a decline of $0.3 billion (2.9% y/y) in February. Revolving credit outstanding held by depository institutions fell 1.5% y/y. Revolving credit held by finance companies dropped 12.2% y/y, while that held by credit unions rose 3.7% y/y.

The consumer credit figures from the Federal Reserve Board are break-adjusted and calculated by Haver Analytics. The breaks in the series in 2005, 2010 and 2015 are the result of the incorporation of data from the Census and the Survey of Finance Companies, as well as changes in the seasonal adjustment methodology. The consumer credit data are available in Haver’s **USECON** database. The Action Economics forecast figures are contained in the **AS1REPNA** database.

250507H4.jpg

250507I4.jpg

- Consumer credit rises close to expectations.
- Nonrevolving and revolving credit rise.


U.S. Consumer Credit Rebounded in March

250507A20.jpg

250507B20.jpg

Mortgage applications increased 11.0% (26.0% y/y) in the week ended May 2, after declining 4.2% in the week ended April 25, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. Applications to purchase a home rose 11.1% (12.9% y/y) in the week ended May 2 after declining 4.4% in the previous week. Loan applications to refinance a home loan also increased 11.1% (51.0% y/y) in the latest week after falling 3.7% in the prior week.

The effective interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate loan of 7.03% in the week ended May 2 compared to 7.08% in the prior week. The effective rate on a 15-year fixed rate loan of 6.34% in the week ended May 2 followed 6.36% in the prior week. The rate on a 30-year jumbo loan declined to 6.99% in the latest week from 7.06% in the prior week, while the rate on a 5-year ARM eased	to 6.08% in the week ended May 2 from 6.12% in the prior week.

The share of applications to refinance an existing mortgage slipped to 37.1% in the week ended May 2 from 37.3% in the prior week. The share of loans with an adjustable rate rose to 8.3% in the latest week from 7.4% one week earlier.

The average size of a mortgage loan rose 4.2% (3.8% y/y) to $400,200 in the week ended May 2, after slipping 0.7% to $384,100 in the prior week. The average size of a loan to purchase a home increased 1.0% (0.2% y/y) to $444,300 in the latest week from $440,100 in the week prior. The average size of a loan to refinance an outstanding mortgage increased 12.3% (27.6% y/y) last week to $325,400 from $289,800 one week earlier.

The Mortgage Bankers Association Survey covers 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications and has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. The base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100. The figures for weekly mortgage applications and interest rates are available in Haver’s **SURVEYS** database.

- Purchase & refinancing loan applications jump.
- Effective interest rates remain range-bound.
- Average loan size increases.

Mortgage Applications Surge as Interest Rates Ease Last Week

250506J8.jpg

250506K8.jpg

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services (BOP basis) in March grew to $140.5 billion after narrowing slightly to $123.2 billion in February, revised from $122.7 billion, after widening to $130.7 billion in January according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A $136.7 billion deficit was expected by the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Exports rose 0.2% (6.7% y/y) in March after increasing 2.8% in February. This was accompanied by a 4.4% rise (27.1% y/y) rise in imports which came after m/m stability in February. In Q1’25, the deficit grew to an average $131.4 billion, after rising to an average $83.3 billion in Q4’24.

The trade deficit in goods (BOP basis) widened to a record $163.2 billion in March from $147.9	 billion in February, revised from $147.0 billion. Goods exports (customs value) rose 1.4% (7.0% y/y) in March, after increasing 3.6% in February. The latest increase reflected an 8.2% (8.4% y/y) surge in auto exports which came after a 12.7% strengthening. A 3.5% (4.0% y/y) gain occurred in industrial supplies & materials exports which followed a 5.1% rise. Foods, feeds & beverage exports rose 6.6% (1.4% y/y) after declining in four of the prior five month. Working lower, capital goods exports fell 2.5% (+13.9% y/y) in March after a 4.	8% increase and nonauto consumer goods exports were off 1.1% (+3.4% y/y) in March after a 2.4% gain.

Imports of goods increased 5.5% (31.4% y/y) in March after a 0.2% February easing. Imports of nonauto consumer goods imports surged 27.9% (56.0% y/y) following a 3.1% February gain. Auto imports rose 6.6% (8.7% y/y) after a 1.2% rise. Capital goods imports rose 4.2% (22.5% y/y) following a 1.1% rise. Foods, feeds & beverage imports eased 0.4% (+11.1% y/y) following a 2.0% weakening. Industrial supplies & materials imports declined 12.4% (+39.5% y/y) after weakening 4.6% in February. Petroleum imports by end-use fell 4.1% (-10.2% y/y) after a 2.9% decline. Nonpetroleum imports increased 6.0% (34.8% y/y) after holding steady in February.

The inflation-adjusted goods trade deficit (customs value) deepened to $150.9 billion in March from $136.9 billion in February. Real exports rose 1.6% (5.3% y/y) after a 3.0% February increase, while real imports rose 5.8% (29.8% y/y) in March following a 0.5% February slip.

The services trade surplus narrowed to $23.0 billion in March after decreasing to $23.8 billion in February. It reached a peak of $25.7 billion in November of last year. Service exports fell 0.9% (+5.7% y/y) after a 0.8% decline in February. Construction services exports rose 1.0% (37.7% y/y) after increasing 2.6% in February. Travel services exports fell 7.1% (-3.7% y/y) and financial exports increased 0.9% (7.3% y/y). Transport exports rose 3.1% (2.4% y/y). Service imports eased 0.1% (+10.8% y/y) in March following a 0.8% gain. Maintenance & repair services declined 1.5% (+32.1% y/y) while imported transport services increased 1.2% (1.7% y/y). Imported travel services fell 2.2% (5.3% y/y) while charges for use of intellectual property rose 1.0% (13.6 y/y).

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China narrowed to a seasonally adjusted $24.8 billion in March from $26.6 billion in February. Exports to China declined 8.2% (-10.5% y/y) while imports weakened 7.2% (-2.7% y/y). The deficit with the European Union deepened to a record $48.3 billion in March from $30.9 billion in February. Exports rose 10.9% (14.5% y/y) while imports soared 34.0% (65.4% y/y). The deficit with Japan deepened to $5.8 billion from $5.2 billion in February. Exports rose 1.8% (8.8% y/y) and imports rose 6.4% (9.9% y/y).

The international trade data, including relevant data on oil prices, can be found in Haver’s **USECON** database. Detailed figures on international trade are available in the **USINT** and **USTRADE** databases. The expectations figures are from the Action Economics Forecast Survey in **AS1REPNA**.

250506L8.jpg

250506M8.jpg

- Goods deficit grows as imports surge ahead of tariff imposition.
- Exports edge higher, led by autos.
- Petroleum product imports fall as crude oil prices decline.

Economy in Brief: January 2006

Jump to:

Challenger Layoffs Up Again in December

Shortfall in U.S. Payrolls Offset By Upward Revision

Shortfall in U.S. Payrolls Offset By Upward Revision

UK Corporations' Profitability Still Firm, Led by High Oil Company Returns

Chain Store Sales Dipped

ISM: Activity Outside the Factory Sector Recovered

Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance Lowest Since 2000

U.S. Vehicle Sales Recovered at Yearend, Along With Gas Price