Economy in Brief

The Chicago Federal Reserve reported that its March National Activity Index (CFNAI) backpedaled to -0.23 from an upwardly revised 0.76 in February. The three-month moving average pulled back to -0.01, its lowest reading since October. [...]

Depending on where you live in the U.S., the unemployment rate may vary greatly from the country's 7.6% average. Suffering the greatest degree of unemployment is the Pacific region where jobless rates average 8.8%. California averages [...]

Industrial orders in Italy fell by 2.5% in February adding to a string of declines that extends back over four months. The declines over the recent two months are steeper than the declines over the previous two months. Foreign orders [...]

Unemployment remains high in the European Monetary Union. As of February the rate is 12% the same as in January both figures are up from December's 11.8%. In the EU unemployment rates have snaked up to 10.9% from 10.8% in January and [...]

The index of Leading Economic Indicators, published by the Conference Board, ticked 0.1% lower (+1.7% y/y) during March following unrevised 0.5% increases during the prior two months. One-half of the component series had a positive [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 352,000 (-9.0% y/y) during the week ended April 13 from a revised 348,000 during the prior week, initially reported as 346,000. Consensus expectations were for 345,000 claims. The four [...]

The index of total mortgage applications from the Mortgage Banker Association increased 4.8% (19.4% y/y) last week. The rise was led by a 5.2% gain (19.0% y/y) in applications to refinance an existing loan. Home purchase mortgage [...]

Commodity prices are quite sensitive to changes in the economic environment, and the latest signals suggest softening forward momentum. Yesterday's industrial commodity price index, from the Foundation for International Business and [...]