Economy in Brief: 2020

Money and credit trends have become somewhat complicated. In the table below, money and credit growth broadly decelerate over three months compared to six months. But year-on-year growth compared to its 2-year pace has accelerated [...]

• Confidence backpedals m/m but rises sharply from recession low. • View of present conditions continues to strengthen; expectations deteriorate. • Confidence again rises amongst all age brackets. The Conference Board's consumer [...]

• The factory sector continues to strengthen. • Business investment leads the improvement. • Shipments rise modestly; orders backlogs ease. Manufacturers' orders for durable goods strengthened 1.9% (-1.9% y/y) during September [...]

• FHFA home price index jumped up 1.5% m/m, a record dating back to 1991. • Prices up 8.0% y/y, the fastest annual pace of increase since 2006. • Significant monthly price gains across the country. The Federal Housing Finance Agency [...]

• Natural gas prices strengthen as seasonal demand increases; supply tightens. • Energy product demand declined while inventories rose. Natural gas prices increased 26.3% (21.8% y/y) to $2.74/mmbtu in the week ended October 23 after a [...]

The German IFO survey for October produced a gain of 1.4 points in overall 'Climate,' a progression of 5.9 points on its current all-sector index was logged as well as a decline of 0.7 on the all-sector index for expectations. For [...]

• New single-family home sales slipped but remain sharply higher y/y. • Sales declined modestly throughout most of the country. The market for new single-family homes has cooled recently. Sales declined 3.5% (+32.1% y/y) to 959,000 [...]

• Texas Manufacturing Outlook survey rose to a 19.8% balance; third consecutive positive reading. • Expectations measure edges up. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey General Business Activity Index [...]