Economy in Brief

The Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies increased 0.2% in January. For December, the index increased 0.3% but that was revised down from a 0.6% gain reported initially. While the latest increases represent a slight slowdown [...]

The Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies increased 0.2% in January. For December, the index increased 0.3% but that was revised down from a 0.6% gain reported initially. While the latest increases represent a slight slowdown [...]

Yesterday here, Tom Moeller discussed the Q4 Flow-of-Funds data and highlighted the important role of consumer borrowing during 2005. The release of this enormous body of data permits examination of other parts of consumer balance [...]

Non-farm payrolls rose 243,000 last month following a downwardly revised 170,000 increase during January that was initially reported at 193,000. Consensus expectations had been for a 210,000 increase during February. From the [...]

Non-farm payrolls rose 243,000 last month following a downwardly revised 170,000 increase during January that was initially reported at 193,000. Consensus expectations had been for a 210,000 increase during February. From the [...]

We wrote yesterday in the midst of the monetary policy meeting of the Bank of Japan; we described the voluminous amount of reserves the BoJ has pumped into the banks. As widely expected, the Bank announced that it would reduce this [...]

Growth in total credit market debt outstanding surged 11.4% (AR) last quarter. Faster growth rates often occur during 4Q but that was the quickest since 2002. The acceleration from 3Q was due to a jump in Federal Government borrowing [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 8,000 to 303,000 to the highest level since early January while the prior week's level was revised up slightly. Consensus expectations had been for a decline to 290,000 claims. During the [...]