Economy in Brief

Since May, the Weekly Leading Index of the US economy published by the Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI) has declined in all but a handful of weeks. Its smoothed six-month growth rate has now fallen into negative territory for [...]

Inflation remains well contained in Canada, according to the Statistics Canada report on the August CPI released today. Indeed, there has been little movement in the consumer price index since May. The overall index fell 0.2% in [...]

The net worth of the US household sector rose 11.1% last quarter versus 2Q03. On the asset side of the ledger, a 10.8% y/y rise in total assets was driven by a 24.9% jump in the value of mutual fund shares and an 11.8% rise in the [...]

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for mid-September was little changed from August at 95.8 but it was below Consensus expectations for 96.5. During the last ten years there has been a 75% correlation between the [...]

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for mid-September was little changed from August at 95.8 but it was below Consensus expectations for 96.5. During the last ten years there has been a 75% correlation between the [...]

The Philadelphia Fed’s September index of general business conditions in the manufacturing sector fell much more than expected to 13.4, the lowest in nearly a year. The level, however, still suggested positive growth. The 15.1 point [...]

August labor market conditions were mixed in two Asian economies. Korea saw more erosion of employment, while jobs in Hong Kong continued to gain. Unemployment rates in both areas ticked down, however. Korea lost 48,000 jobs in the [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 16,000 last week to 333,000 following the huge 43,000 drop the week prior that was little revised. Consensus expectations had been for a larger rise to 345,000. The 4-week moving average [...]