Economy in Brief

• Gasoline prices jump with refinery shutdowns. • Oil prices surge also as production is cut back. • Natural gas output is notably reduced with deep freeze in South. The price of regular gasoline strengthened to $2.63 per gallon (6.8% [...]

• House prices rose 1.1% m/m, the seventh consecutive monthly increase of 1.0% or more. • Prices were up 11.4% y/y, a series record annual increase dating back to 1991. • For all of 2020, prices rose 7.7% despite the pandemic. The [...]

The German IFO comprehensive business survey saw its all-sector climate index rise to 5.3 in February from -0.3 in January. The current conditions index improved to 6.5 in February from 3.2 in January. Expectations also improved to [...]

• Production improves, employment moderates. • Prices received and prices paid measures both increased. • Expectations reading reaches highest since October 2018. Manufacturing activity in Texas improved in February, according to the [...]

• Leading index gains decelerate. • Breadth of component growth moderates. • Coincident indicators rise is negligibly. The Conference Board's Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators increased 0.5% (-1.5% y/y) during January [...]

• Index suggests improvement in economic growth. • Production & income remain strong while personal spending rebounds. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's National Activity Index increased to 0.66 during January from December's [...]

Online retail sales, more formally known as "E-Commerce sales," edged lower once again in Q4 on a seasonally adjusted basis; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, they fell 1.2% after a 1.1% decrease in Q3. These did follow a 31.9% [...]

PMI values largely improved in February. Yet, for many countries as well as for the EMU, economic contraction remains in place. Germany and the United States are exceptions with each showing PMI values above 50; the U.S. is showing [...]