Economy in Brief: June 2016

Chicago purchasing managers reported that their Business Barometer surged to 56.8 this month following a May decline to 49.3. The figure was at the highest level since January 2015, and exceeded expectations for 50.4 in the Action [...]

Chicago purchasing managers reported that their Business Barometer surged to 56.8 this month following a May decline to 49.3. The figure was at the highest level since January 2015, and exceeded expectations for 50.4 in the Action [...]

German retail sales ex-autos rose by 0.8% in May after a skinny gain of 0.1% in April. The three-month growth rate is zero. Over six-months, sales are up at a 0.5% pace. Over 12-months, sales are up at a 0.7% pace. Sales are [...]

Initial jobless insurance claims increased to 268,000 (-4.3% y/y) during the week ended June 25 from 258,000 in the prior week, revised from 259,000. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected 270,000 claims. The four-week moving [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Market Volume Index declined 2.6% last week (+38.7% y/y) and reversed the prior week's rise. Purchase applications fell 3.0% (+12.9% y/y) while refinancing applications [...]

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that pending home sales declined 3.7% (-0.2% y/y) during May following a 3.9% rise in April, revised from 5.1%. These sales are reported as an index with 2001=100. The May value of [...]

The overall EU economic sentiment indicator from the EU Commission ticked higher to 105.7 in June from 105.6 in May. Meanwhile the EMU index edged lower to 104.4 in June from 104.6 in May. Coming attractions... With the U.K. adoption [...]

Personal consumption expenditures increased 0.4% (3.7% y/y) during May following a 1.1% April rise, revised from 1.0%. A 0.3% increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. So far this year, spending has risen at [...]