Economy in Brief: 2014

Pending sales of single-family homes rose 0.8% in November (+4.1% y/y) following a slightly revised 1.2% decrease in October, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These sales are reported as an index with 2001 = [...]

Initial unemployment insurance claims during the week ended December 27 rose to 298,000 (-13.4% y/y) after declining to 281,000 in the prior week, revised marginally from 280,000. The four-week moving average of initial claims thus [...]

With the European Monetary Union grappling with inflation and unsure what to do next, in some countries, the decision seems clearer than in others. Unfortunately, EMU monetary policy is one for all and all for one. In the chart, we [...]

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index turned back upward to 92.6 in December from November's 91.0, which was revised noticeably from 88.7 initially reported; the December index is 19.5% above December 2013. The latest [...]

National average gasoline prices fell 10 cents more in the week ended December 29 to $2.30 a gallon from $2.40 the prior week; they are down 31.0% year-on-year. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that their total Mortgage Market Volume Index edged up 0.9% last week (3.4% y/y) following a 3.3% decline during the prior week. Applications to purchase a home gained 1.3% (-0.5% y/y) as [...]

Initial unemployment insurance claims during the week ended December 20 fell to 280,000 (-17.4% y/y) after declining to an unrevised 289,000 in the prior week. It was the lowest level of claims in seven weeks. The four-week moving [...]

GDP growth last quarter was revised sharply higher to 5.0%, up from last month's estimate of 3.9% growth. The rise was the strongest since Q3 2003. Strengthened growth in final demand accounted for the revision. The gain exceeded the [...]