Economy in Brief: May 2018

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls increased 178,000 during May following a downwardly revised 163,000 gain in April (was 204,000). A 188,000 rise had been expected in the Action [...]

Money and credit growth in the EMU area remain weak. There is a slight firming to trends in April but I emphasize the word 'slight.' There is no trend change and nothing to stoke new hopes or confidences. With the Italian crisis [...]

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas indicated in its Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey that the General Business Activity Index improved to 26.8 during May after declining sharply in April to a five-month low, down from the February [...]

Consumers are taking heart from improving labor market conditions. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 128.0 in May (8.8% y/y) from 125.6 during April, initially reported as 128.7. The May level matched expectations [...]

New orders for durable goods fell 1.7% (7.8 y/y) during April following a 2.7% March increase, revised from 2.6%. Expectations had been for a 1.2% decline in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. A 6.1% decline (+7.7% y/y) in orders [...]

The IFO business climate gauge fell by 0.5% in May, marking two straight months of decline. However, the current conditions index continued to plow ahead as it has for many months signaling ongoing growth and expansion in the German [...]

The INSEE manufacturing survey shows a steady reading for industry climate in May. The index fell in March and again in April. And now, in May, it has stabilized at this lower level. Still, the trend shows a loss of momentum. The [...]

The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes declined 2.5% during April (-1.4% y/y) to 5.460 million units (AR) following an unrevised 1.1% March gain to 5.600 million units. It was the lowest level of [...]