Economy in Brief: February 2014

Economic climate continued to improve in Germany through February. However, the survey by the Ifo shows some cracks in the solidity of German growth. The climate index increased to 14.9 in February from 13.7 in January. Improvement [...]

The Chicago Federal Reserve reported that its National Activity Index (CFNAI) fell sharply last month to -0.39 from -0.03 in December, revised from 0.16. The latest level was down from November's high of 0.73. As a result, the three- [...]

The euro area is making an economic recovery but ones may wonder whether it will last. Economic growth has begun to progress even in countries that had been reporting GDP declines. However, economic cycles come and go and not all of [...]

Sales of existing single-family homes in January declined 5.1% (-5.1% y/y) to 4.620 million (AR) versus an unrevised 4.870 million in December. Sales were down 14.1% versus the July high and fell short of 4.700 million expected in the [...]

The index of Leading Economic Indicators, published by the Conference Board, increased 0.3% (5.0% y/y) in January following no change in December, revised from up 0.1%. A 0.4% rise was expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. [...]

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank reported that its General Business Conditions Index for February fell sharply to -6.3 from 9.4 in January. It was the lowest level in twelve months and remained meaningfully lower than the [...]

There has been such ecstasy about Europe turning the corner on growth that little attention has been paid to the slow speed of that turn. If you have been watching figure skating at the Olympics, you have seen the role of speed and [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance edged down to 336,000 (-8.2% y/y) during the week ended February 15 versus an unrevised 339,000 during the week prior. Expectations had been for 335,000 claims in the Action Economic forecast [...]