Economy in Brief

The total number of mortgage applications fell last week by 2.6%. It was the third consecutive weekly decline, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, and lowered applications 21.7% versus the weekly peak in early June. Lower [...]

Japanese data on machinery orders were released today by the Economic and Social Research Institute of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. Although total machinery orders declined by 8.8% in August from July, there were [...]

Chain store sales added 0.2% last week to the prior week's 0.6% jump, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey. Though sales have risen during the past three successive weeks, the level in early [...]

The index of small business optimism from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) fell another 0.9% in September following a 0.2% decline the month earlier. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita drastically cut expectations for [...]

The index of small business optimism from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) fell another 0.9% in September following a 0.2% decline the month earlier. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita drastically cut expectations for [...]

French industrial production, excluding construction, rose 0.8% in August after falling 0.7% in July. The rise brings the index to 101.4 (2000=100) its highest level since February of this year. Production of consumer goods, excluding [...]

The Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies rose for the third consecutive month in August following four months of decline. The 0.1% gain followed increases of 0.5% during the prior two months and the leaders' six month growth [...]

The Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies rose for the third consecutive month in August following four months of decline. The 0.1% gain followed increases of 0.5% during the prior two months and the leaders' six month growth [...]