Economy in Brief: November 2004

The Institute for Supply Management reported that the October Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector rebounded 3.1 points to 59.8 following a 1.5 point decline in September. Consensus expectations had been for a more [...]

The downward trend in German retail sales that began in late 2003 continues. In September, the headline series--the value of retail sales excluding autos and gas stations--declined 0.41% from August and was 1.93% below September, [...]

Chain store sales fell for the third consecutive period. A 0.3% decline last week placed the October average 0.1% below September, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS. During the last ten years there [...]

Chain store sales fell for the third consecutive period. A 0.3% decline last week placed the October average 0.1% below September, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS. During the last ten years there [...]

Export data released today show that the trend that began in early 2003 toward increased Australian exports to Asia relative to the US and Europe has continued. In September, 2004, exports to Asian countries were significantly above [...]

The total value of construction put in place dipped slightly in September as residential building fell for the first month since February 2003. The Consensus expectation for a 0.4% gain. As hurricanes hit Florida, private residential [...]

The Institute of Supply Management reported that its Purchasing Managers’ Composite Index (PMI) fell in October to 56.8 versus Consensus expectations for no change at 58.5. During the last twenty years there has been a 70% correlation [...]

Personal income grew just 0.2% In September following a downwardly revised 0.1% rise in August. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.3% September increase. A third consecutive monthly decline in proprietors' income, down 0.4% [...]