Economy in Brief: November 2019

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported that its General Factory Sector Business Conditions Index increased to 10.4 during November, but did not recover all of October's decline to 5.6. The index remained below the July high [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance remained at 227,000 (1.3% year-on-year) during the week ending November 16, while the previous week was revised slightly higher (was 225,000). The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected [...]

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that sales of existing homes rose 1.9% (+4.6% y/y) during October to 5.460 million from 5.36 million in September, revised from 5.380 million. The Action Economics Forecast Survey [...]

The U.S. Commerce Department reported that during the third quarter of this year, retail sales via the internet (E-Commerce) increased 5.0% (SA) from Q2. The gain followed a revised 4.8% Q2 rise, and was the strongest quarterly [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its Mortgage Loan Index fell 2.2% (+75.7% y/y) in the week ending November 15 after strengthening 9.6% in the previous week. Applications to refinance a loan declined 7.7% (+179.5% y/y) [...]

Japan is suffering the fate of an economy with strong trade ties to two countries embroiled in a trade war. Japan's largest trade partner is China and its second largest trade partner is the United States. In October, Japan's exports [...]

The housing market remains on a firm footing. Housing starts increased 3.8% (8.5% y/y) during October to 1.314 million (SAAR) after easing to 1.266 million in September, revised from 1.256 million. The Action Economics Forecast Survey [...]

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) industrial trends survey showed some improvement in the U.K industrial sector in November, but it is better to focus on where the readings stand than on how much they may have changed month- [...]