Economy in Brief

Employment growth eased last month. The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated a 218,000 rise (2.2% y/y) in July nonfarm private sector jobs. It followed an unrevised June increase of 281,000. During the last three months, [...]

The EU index of economic sentiment fell to 105.8 in July from 106.4 in June. The comparable index for the EMU economies rose by 0.1% to a lesser standing of 102.2. For the EU members in July the industrial index slipped slightly more [...]

The economic recovery returned to a firm footing last quarter. The advance GDP estimate indicated a 4.0% rate of growth during Q2. The gain follows a 2.1% Q1 decline, revised from -2.9% and depressed by weather, inventory & foreign [...]

The Conference Board reported that their reading of consumer confidence improved 5.2% this month (12.2% y/y) to 90.9 from 86.4 in June, revised from 85.2. The latest figure beat expectations for 85.5 in the Action Economics Forecast [...]

The Conference Board reported that their reading of consumer confidence improved 5.2% this month (12.2% y/y) to 90.9 from 86.4 in June, revised from 85.2. The latest figure beat expectations for 85.5 in the Action Economics Forecast [...]

The International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs reported that chain store sales nudged 0.2% higher last week (4.6% y/y). So far in July sales have risen 3.5% from the June average which slipped 0.2% from May. During [...]

The chart shows how mightily Spain's retail sales have fallen. The chart plots an index of real retail sales; it is not a plot of a growth rate. We can see that, in recent months, sales are stirring, but also that they are only a [...]

The price for a gallon of regular gasoline declined another five cents last week to $3.54 (-2.9% y/y). Prices remained down from the $3.78 per gallon peak reached in February of last year. To account for seasonal volatility, Haver [...]