Economy in Brief: 2005

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for next quarter slipped to 20, down slightly from the average of 21 during the prior three quarters. The index indicates that a net 20% of 16,000 employers expect to increase hiring activity. [...]

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey indicated that chain store sales fell 0.2% last week after no change the prior week. So far this month sales are 0.5% below the August average which fell 0.1% from July. [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit narrowed to $57.9B in July versus the June deficit of $59.4 which was deeper than initially reported. Consensus expectations had been for a deficit of $59.7B. Despite the narrowing, the U.S. trade [...]

The producer price index for finished goods less food & energy, the so called "core" PPI, was unchanged last month versus Consensus expectations for a 0.1% increase and versus a 0.4% gain in July. The overall PPI rose 0.6% in August [...]

The producer price index for finished goods less food & energy, the so called "core" PPI, was unchanged last month versus Consensus expectations for a 0.1% increase and versus a 0.4% gain in July. The overall PPI rose 0.6% in August [...]

The second preliminary estimate for Japanese Gross Domestic Product in the second quarter was significantly higher than that shown in the first estimate released August 12. Total GDP is now estimated to have risen 3.3% at an annual [...]

The July Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies rose 0.4%. Coming on the heels of a 0.5% June increase, the rise lifted the six month growth rate in the index to 0.5%, the first positive reading in six months. During the last ten [...]

The July Leading Index of the Major 7 OECD economies rose 0.4%. Coming on the heels of a 0.5% June increase, the rise lifted the six month growth rate in the index to 0.5%, the first positive reading in six months. During the last ten [...]