Economy in Brief: 2021

• Starts rebound after harsh winter weather limited building activity. • Single-family & multi-family starts rise sharply. • Building permits increase moderately. Better weather and low interest rates boosted housing last month. [...]

• Total business sales jump in January. • Total business inventory-to-sales ratio resumes its downward correction. PREVIOUS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Total business inventories rose 0.3% during January (-1.8% y/y) following an upwardly revised [...]

• Housing market activity remains below November high. • Activity is mixed regionally. The Composite Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders-Wells Fargo rose 1.2% to 83 during April after falling 2.4% in [...]

• Headline index jumps to highest level since 1973. • Underlying strength remains widespread. • Prices paid ease. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Factory Sector Business Conditions Index jumped to 50.2 during April [...]

• Initial claims lower than forecast. • Continuing claims did rise slightly; jobless rate edges upward. • Claims for PUA and PEUC benefits both decreased. Initial claims for unemployment insurance dropped by 193,000 in the week ended [...]

• Total business sales fell back in February after jump in January. • Total inventories continued to rise. • Total business inventory-to-sales ratio rose in February after outsized fall in January. Total business inventories rose 0.5% [...]

• Strength is broad-based as consumers venture into stores. • Durable goods are notably firm. • Earlier months' data were little-revised. Improved weather, a strong employment gain, $1,400 stimulus checks and store re-openings [...]

• IP rose 1.4% m/m with manufacturing output up 2.7% and mining up 5.7%. • Utilities plunged 11.4% after the cold-weather boosted 9.2% surge in February. • In the first quarter, IP rose 2.5% saar. Industrial production rebounded in [...]