Economy in Brief

EMU GDP and across the EMU made rousing gains in Q3. The percentage gains Q/Q exceeded the percentage losses for the previous quarter in every case except for Denmark and Finland. Despite that gap (and the illusory arithmetic of those [...]

• Lower mortgage interest rates combine with higher income combine to raise affordability. • Housing affordability improvement follows four straight monthly declines. The National Association of Realtors reported that its Fixed Rate [...]

• Food & energy prices strengthen. • Core goods prices remain stable. • Service price increase moderates. The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.3% (0.5% y/y) during October following a 0.4% September increase. A 0.2% rise [...]

• Retail price inflation decelerates y/y. • Goods prices firm y/y, while price gains in services moderate. Consumer prices continue to be well-behaved. The Consumer Price Index held steady (1.2% y/y) during October following a 0.2% [...]

Of the 12 EMU member countries in the table, seven logged manufacturing IP declines in September. This total contrasts with four in August and none in July. Over three months, only one country, Ireland, shows a decline in output. Over [...]

• State initial claims fall to their lowest level since March 14. • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance declined to mid-April level. • Continuing claims decreased for state, while PUA and PEUC increase. • First time since late [...]

Portugal's inflation rates in October show continued temperance. The year-on-year HICP is lower by 0.6% compared to a 0.1% decline for both the national CPI and the national CPI core measure. Inflation momentum shows the HICP measure [...]

• Home purchase applications fall sharply for second straight week. • Financing rates plumb new lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Loan Applications Index eased 0.5% (+46.7% y/y) in the week ended November 6 after [...]