Economy in Brief

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index gained to 96.1 during August following an unrevised moderate July increase. The latest level remained near its highest since September [...]

U.K. exports and imports fell in June. Exports fell by 1.6%, following a 0.1% decline in May. Imports fell by 0.4%, following a 0.9% rise in May. Over 12 months both exports and imports are falling with exports falling faster at a [...]

The Federal Reserve Board reported that consumer credit outstanding increased $26.0 billion during July following a revised $18.8 billion rise, initially reported as $17.3 billion. Expectations were for a $17.0 billion increase, [...]

Nonfarm payrolls gained 142,000 (1.8% y/y) during August following increases of 212,000 and 267,000 during the prior two months. The rise was the weakest since December and disappointed expectations for a 220,000 increase in the [...]

Germany's industrial production rose by 1.9% in July, marking a strong gain in the German industrial sector. It is the largest monthly gain since April 2013. The output of consumer goods rose by 0.1%. Intermediate goods output rose by [...]

Nonfarm payrolls gained 142,000 (1.8% y/y) during August following increases of 212,000 and 267,000 during the prior two months. The rise was the weakest since December and disappointed expectations for a 220,000 increase in the [...]

Private sector employment growth eased a bit more last month, but at 204,000 in the ADP/Moody's National Employment Report, it held to the moderate growth range of the last six months. The y/y increase was 2.2%, extending a steady [...]

The pace of nonmanufacturing activity continued to accelerate in August with the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) composite nonmanufacturing index rising to 59.6 from 58.7 in July. This is a diffusion index with a reading above [...]