Economy in Brief

State labor market data in January tended to show declines in unemployment with fairly muted changes in payroll employment. 20 states report statistically significant declines in their unemployment rates. Michigan's remarkable 2.5 [...]

Compare current activity to one year ago Japan continues to have a slow rollout out from under the effects of the coronavirus. The far-right hand column of the table looks at the percentage change in each measure in the table on its [...]

• Component changes are mixed. • Employment measure indicates further growth. • Prices surge. The Empire State Manufacturing Index of General Business Conditions increased to 17.4 in March from 12.1 in February. A reading of 14.3 had [...]

• TEST The Financial Accounts data are in Haver's FFUNDS database. Associated information is compiled in the Integrated Macroeconomic Accounts produced jointly with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA); these are carried in Haver's [...]

• Total borrowing in U.S. economy = 24.3% of GDP in Q4, up from 15.4% in Q3. • Federal government biggest borrowing sector, at $2.5 trillion in Q4 (SAAR). • Financial institutions were next largest, borrowing $1.1 trillion in Q4; had [...]

The German HICP was flat in February as the core fell by 0.1%. The German CPI went its own way rising by 0.4% in February with the core up by 0.2% month-to-month. The annual data show the HICP up by 1.6% with the core up by 1.7% while [...]

• Gasoline & food prices strengthen. • Core finished goods price inflation moderates. • Service prices edge higher following January spike. The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.5% (2.8% y/y) in February following a 1.3% [...]

• Initial claims fall to lowest level in four months. • Continuing claims also post sharp decline. • Insured jobless rate drops again. The job market continues to exhibit signs of healing. Initial claims for unemployment insurance [...]