Economy in Brief

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index declined sharply to 91.4 during February from 94.1 in January. The latest figure was the lowest since March of last year and was down 3.2% [...]

Food price increases in 2013 roughly equaled the gain in prices for other goods and services. Overall food prices rose 1.4% last year and for several months, the gain lagged the total. This was, however, a break with the trend in [...]

More countries in Europe reported industrial production with the net result showing an upswing in Europe. In January, only three of these early-reporting countries in the table showed declines in output. Finland's 4.6% drop was the [...]

The Federal Reserve Board reported that consumer credit outstanding increased $13.7 billion (5.8% y/y) during January following a $15.9 billion December gain, revised from $18.8 billion. The increase roughly matched expectations for a [...]

Germany's industrial production in January rose by 0.8%, continuing a string of advances. Over the last three months, industrial production is expanding at a sharp 13.9% annual rate. That's up significantly from a 5.9% annual rate [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit remained at $39.1 billion in January versus December's $39.0 billion, last month reported as $38.7 billion. A $38.5 billion deficit had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Both exports [...]

Nonfarm payrolls grew 175,000 during February following a 129,000 January increase, initially reported as 113,000. The rise outpaced expectations for a 145,000 increase in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The unemployment rate [...]

Nonfarm payrolls grew 175,000 during February following a 129,000 January increase, initially reported as 113,000. The rise outpaced expectations for a 145,000 increase in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The unemployment rate [...]