Economy in Brief

• Lumber prices strengthen. • Metals prices are mixed. The Industrial Materials Price Index, from the Foundation for International Business and Economic Research (FIBER), increased 1.4% during the four weeks ended April 16, leaving [...]

The pace of improvement in state labor markets in March was varied. Despite the very large increase in national payrolls, only 29 states reported statistically significant gains, though Alaska was the only state to register a (small [...]

How can sales be remarkable and yet forgettable? Answer: you only need to look at this month's data to see why or how. Car registrations are not going to be the only statistic that bears these dual and seemingly dueling [...]

• House prices down in January and up in February. • Income swings up in January and down in February. The National Association of Realtors reported that its Fixed Rate Mortgage Housing Affordability Index decreased 7.6% (-1.4% y/y) [...]

• 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 [...]