Economy in Brief

• First-time claims are at lowest level since late-November. • Continuing claims continue their downward trend. • Insured jobless rate eases. Initial jobless insurance claims declined 111,000 in the week ended February 20 to 730,000 [...]

• Sales decline across the country. • Median house prices ease. Harsh winter weather throughout the country kept many potential home buyers indoors last month. Sales of new single-family homes declined 18.2% (+8.2% y/y) during [...]

• Sales post widespread gains in most of country. • Median house prices decline. Sales of new single-family homes rose 4.3% (19.3% y/y) to 923,000 (SAAR) during January following a 5.5% December rise to 885,000, revised from 842,000. [...]

French industry climate improved in February by a modest 1.4 points. It remains 3.5 points below its February 2020 (Pre-Covid19) level. After improving for two months in a row, the services index fell in February and now stands below [...]

• Sales post widespread gains in most of country. • Median house prices decline. Sales of new single-family homes rose 4.3% (19.3% y/y) to 923,000 (SAAR) during January following a 5.5% December rise to 885,000, revised from 842,000. [...]

• Purchase and refinancing loan applications fall. • Mortgage interest rates rise further. The Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Loan Applications Index declined 11.4% (+33.0% y/y) in the week ended February 19. It has declined in [...]

• Consumer confidence added to its January improvement. • Current conditions reading gains while expectations weaken. • Job market readings improve. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased 2.7% (-31.1% y/y) to 91.3 [...]

The EMU headline rose by 0.8% in January, its first year-on-year gain in six months (July 2020). Inflation in the euro area is clearly accelerating with the 12-month pace at 0.8%, the six-month pace at 2% and the three-month pace up [...]