Economy in Brief

The OECD leading economic indicators are a good short hand way to assess trends across various economies. The chart on the left shows that the US expansion seems to have steadied. Europe's momentum is strong as its indicator is moving [...]

The Chicago Federal Reserve reported that its National Activity Index (CFNAI) improved again. The September reading of 0.14, after 0.13 in August, was the second positive figure following five consecutive negative readings. As a [...]

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index fell to 91.6 last month. The sharp decline from an unrevised 93.9 in September was to its lowest level since March. The percentage of [...]

For most of the period since the financial crisis ended, Greek exports continued to outpace weak imports. But over the last year exports have fallen by 2.3% while imports have risen by 2.0%. As a result of that mix, the Greek [...]

The job market posted surprising growth last month. Nonfarm payrolls increased 204,000 (1.7% y/y) during October following upwardly revised gains of 163,000 and 238,000 during the prior two months. A 122,000 gain had been expected [...]

It was controversy large German current account deficit part of the release of December figures on trade. Now with exports growing strong in September imports dropping trade surplus as surge in higher Germany is going to feel even [...]

Personal income in September increased 0.5% (3.7% y/y) following a 0.5% August rise. The gain beat expectations for a 0.3% increase. It reflected outsized increases of 1.9% (12.2% y/y) in proprietors income and 1.1% (10.3% y/y) in [...]

Consumer sentiment, as measured in the Reuters/University of Michigan survey, fell in early-November to a reading of 72.0 (-12.9% y/y). That compares to 73.2 last month and the June high of 85.1. This latest level was the lowest since [...]