Economy in Brief

Economic recovery hit the U.S. trade accounts with a double-whammy during November. It generated a 2.6% m/m rise in imports and it increased the international trade deficit to $36.4B which was the highest since January. The rise [...]

French IP is on the mend. Yr/Yr its decline has been reduced to under a 5% drop, at -3.8%. Over six months IP is expanding at a growth rate of 6.1%. Output of consumer durable goods is holding back the recovery although output of [...]

Recession continues in Ireland as Industrial production, announced today, declined 8.0% from 106.2 (2005=100) in Octoberto 97.7% in November. Ireland makes a distinction between its traditional industries and those of relatively [...]

Is the consumer not attempting to borrow or is credit not being extended by the lender? It's hard to say but the Federal Reserve reported late-Friday that consumer credit outstanding fell by a record $17.5B m/m during November [...]

Is the consumer not attempting to borrow or is credit not being extended by the lender? It's hard to say but the Federal Reserve reported late-Friday that consumer credit outstanding fell by a record $17.5B m/m during November [...]

The OECD trend-adjusted leading indicators are showing strong increases compared to past business cycles. The chart shows that Europe, Japan, and the US have not been as synchronous and stronger since the expansion from the 1973-75 [...]

The latest jobs report was disappointing for those who hoped for improved momentum in hiring, but diminishing weakness continued as the predominant message. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls fell 85,000 [...]

The latest jobs report was disappointing for those who hoped for improved momentum in hiring, but diminishing weakness continued as the predominant message. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls fell 85,000 [...]