Economy in Brief

In addition to the usual national trade data that Haver carries in the USECON and USINT databases, regional databases give information on foreign trade shipments into and out of various locations around the country. Some time ago, we [...]

The U.S. federal government ran a budget surplus of $22.2B in June that was in line with Consensus estimates. The monthly surplus kept the deficit during the first nine months of FY 2005 on a pace that was nearly one quarter below the [...]

Total mortgage applications gave back last week most of the prior week's surge and fell 7.2, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications nevertheless remained 2.6% above the June average which rose 9.9% versus May. [...]

Import prices in June recovered the prior month's revised decline with a 1.0% increase and about matched Consensus expectations. Petroleum prices more than recovered May's decline with a 7.6% jump. In early July, Brent crude moved [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit improved more than expected in May to $55.3B versus April's downwardly revised deficit of $56.9. Consensus expectations had been for a deficit of $57.0B. Total exports ticked up 0.1% after the 3.3% spike [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit improved more than expected in May to $55.3B versus April's downwardly revised deficit of $56.9. Consensus expectations had been for a deficit of $57.0B. Total exports ticked up 0.1% after the 3.3% spike [...]

Signs that Japan's deflation may be ending remain equivocal. The Corporate Goods Price Index (CGPI) has been showing year to year increases since May, 2004. But corporations have been unable to pass these increases on to consumers. [...]

Chain store sales inched 0.1% higher last week following a 0.5% rise during the opening week of July, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey. So far this month sales are 0.3% higher than the June [...]