Economy in Brief: August 2014

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reported that its August Composite index covering Texas factory sector activity declined to 7.1 from 12.7 in July. The latest figure was the lowest since March. The deterioration reflected lower new [...]

Germany's Ifo climate index for August has fallen to 5.3 from 8.6 in July. The all-sector climate index is still relatively firm standing in nearly the 72nd percentile of its historic queue of ordered values. However, this standing [...]

The market for new homes hit a soft patch during the last two months. New home sales during July fell 2.4% (+12.3% y/y) to 412,000 following June's decline to 422,000, initially reported as 406,000. The figures compare to May's peak [...]

The Chicago Federal Reserve reported that its National Activity Index (CFNAI) for July increased to 0.39 from 0.21 in June, revised from 0.12. The latest level was its highest since March. The three-month moving average improved to [...]

The Federal Reserve has been reducing the growth in monetary liquidity. Three separate indicators suggest that the effort has been pervasive. 1) Money growth has been stable during the last several years and is down from its peak [...]

Canada's retail sales are hopping. Sales rose by 1.1% in June after rising 0.9% in May and 1.3% in April. Sales are accelerating at a 14% annual rate over three months, an 8.6% annual rate over six months, and a 5.9% annual rate over [...]

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank reported that its General Business Conditions Index for August jumped to 28.0 from 23.9 in July. The figure was at the highest point since March 2011 and it exceeded consensus expectations for a [...]

The index of leading economic indicators is beginning to accelerate. The three-month growth rate is 7.4% at an annual rate. Over the previous three months, it grew at a 2.0% annual rate. Over 12 months, it is growing at a 5.9% annual [...]