Economy in Brief

The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) fell 0.2% (+1.8% y/y) last month after no change in October. It was the first decline in the CPI since April. Consensus expectations were for a 0.1% rise. Less food & energy prices fell 0.1%, the first [...]

The Empire State Index of General Business Conditions for December remained at a firm reading of 37.37, down just slightly from the record 40.14 in November. Consensus expectations had been for a larger decline to 33.0. The new orders [...]

Finished producer prices in November reversed some of the prior month's strength and fell 0.3%. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.2% gain. Core producer prices also changed direction and fell 0.1% versus expectations for a 0.1% [...]

Retail sales jumped 0.9% last month and the previously reported 0.3% October decline was revised up to little change. Consensus expectations were for a 0.6% November increase. Excluding motor vehicles & parts dealers, sales rose 0.4% [...]

The index of mortgage applications compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association cratered 12.2% last week (-30.3% y/y) following an 11.7% decline the week prior. Purchase applications fell 9.5% (+11.4% y/y) to the lowest level in a [...]

The annual rate of growth in Japan's third quarter GDP was revised down from 2.2% to 1.4%. Private consumption expenditure declined at an annual rate of 0.27%. The chief factor in the downward revision was the decline in the rate of [...]

Chain store sales slumped 2.5% last week as two snowstorms blanketed the Northeast region of the US, according to the BTM-UBSW survey. The decline followed a 0.1% dip in sales during Thanksgiving week. Sales during all of November [...]

This is the week for the release of a number of measures of Japanese consumer and business sentiment. A report on consumer sentiment is due on Wednesday and the Bank of Japan's quarterly survey of business sentiment, known as [...]