Economy in Brief

Dutch PMI and manufacturing IP are in lock-step Dutch production continued its rebound in July, rising by 1.7% (excluding construction) after a 0.6% gain in June. This two month ‘string’ of increases goes only part way to effect a [...]

• Job openings become more available. • Hiring slows. • Layoffs ease while quits rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the total job openings rate rose to 4.5% during July, the highest level since last October and up from [...]

• Applications for both purchase and refinancings increase. • Mortgage rates approach record low. The Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Loan Applications Index increased 2.9% (36.3% y/y) in the week ended September 4, following [...]

• Gasoline prices slip marginally. • Crude oil prices ease, then break sharply lower. • Natural gas prices decline sharply. Regular gasoline prices slipped to $2.21 per gallon (-13.3% y/y) in the week ended September 7 after rising to [...]

• Nonrevolving borrowing usage surges. • Charge card balances ease further. Consumers continue to buy more using credit. Consumer credit outstanding increased $12.2 billion during July (0.5% y/y) following an $11.4 billion June [...]

Setting aside the numbers that are so much more precise, a look at the graphics tells the clear story of the economy watchers index and its gauge of the future. Japan was hit hard by the virus; after a plunge the economy watchers [...]

• NFIB Small Business Optimism Index retraces most of July's decline. • Employment & pricing conditions improve. • Economy & sales readings soften. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index [...]

• Strong job gains continue after coronavirus shutdowns ebb. • Census hiring boosts total. • Earnings growth improves. • Jobless rate declines to five-month low. Labor market healing is continuing. Nonfarm payroll employment increased [...]