Economy in Brief: 2012

The Chicago Federal Reserve reported that its National Activity Index (CFNAI) for October dropped sharply to -0.56 from an unrevised 0.00 during September. The three-month moving average also fell to -0.56, its lowest since October [...]

The Leading Economic Indicator index from the Conference Board increased 0.2% during October following a 0.5% September gain, initially estimated at 0.6%. Fifty percent of the component series had a positive influence on the index [...]

Initial claims for jobless insurance fell last week, but remained elevated after Hurricane Sandy. Claims fell during the week ended November 17 to 410,000 from 451,000 during the prior period, initially reported as 439,000. The four [...]

For the last twenty five years or so, in its rush to modernize, China has stressed Investment and Exports over Consumption. 2011 was the first year in which consumption as a percentage of GDP exceeded that of Investment 49.2% vs 48.2% [...]

The data on U.S. chain store sales just don't show upward momentum entering the holiday season. Sales slipped 0.3% last week and left the November average 3.5% below last July. During the last ten years there has been a 72% [...]

Last week the pump price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell two cents (1.8%) to $3.43 per gallon. Since their September peak prices have fallen 45 cents per gallon. The minimal w/w price decline was not, however, enough to match [...]

In October, building was begun on more residential housing units than in any month since July 2008. Total housing starts gained another 3.6% (41.9% y/y) to 894,000 (AR) last month from 863,000 during September, revised up from [...]

Deflation continues to plague the Japanese economy. In real terms, GDP declined at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.5% in the third quarter. In nominal terms the decline was 3.9%. When the price level declines, real increases in [...]