Economy in Brief

In August, nonfarm payrolls rose 128,000 and about matched Consensus expectations for a 125,000 gain. For the prior month, the increase was upwardly revised up slightly to 121,000. Year to date payrolls have risen an average 141,000 [...]

Consumers in the UK apparently reacted to the Bank of England's early August rate increase as they reported a significant increase in their concern over the the UK economic outlook in the August consumer confidence survey conducted by [...]

The Conference Board's Index of Help-Wanted Advertising dropped to new forty five year low of 32 in July after revised stability in June at 34. During the last ten years there has been a 57% correlation between the level of help- [...]

Factory inventories rose 0.6% last month after a revised 0.9% June jump. The 8.1% annual rate of accumulation through July is double the rate of accumulation during all of last year. Primary metals inventories again were firm and rose [...]

Last week, initial claims for unemployment insurance fell 2,000 to 316,000 after an upwardly revised 4,000 increase during the prior week. Consensus expectations had been for 315,000 claims. During the last ten years there has been a [...]

Personal income increased 0.6% last month, the same as during June which was unrevised. The gain slightly outpaced Consensus expectations for a 0.5% rise. Wage & salary disbursements again were strong and rose 0.6% (7.9% y/y) for the [...]

Personal income increased 0.6% last month, the same as during June which was unrevised. The gain slightly outpaced Consensus expectations for a 0.5% rise. Wage & salary disbursements again were strong and rose 0.6% (7.9% y/y) for the [...]

Retail sales data were reported today for four very different economies. While "globalization" may be bringing many aspects of the world economy closer together, these reports indicate that people's shopping behavior varies widely [...]