Economy in Brief: August 2004

Initial unemployment insurance claims fell 3,000 to 331,000 last week and the prior week was up revised marginally. Claims were once again lower than expected; the consensus forecast was 335,000 claims. The 4-week moving average of [...]

The index of mortgage applications compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association jumped 11.9% last week, breaking out of its recent tight range. At 689.4 (Mar 16, 1990 = 100), the index reached its highest since the first week of May. [...]

The index of mortgage applications compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association jumped 11.9% last week, breaking out of its recent tight range. At 689.4 (Mar 16, 1990 = 100), the index reached its highest since the first week of May. [...]

Sentiment among German analysts and institutional investors declined sharply in August according to the ZEW index of the Mannheim-based ZEW Center for European Economic Research. The index fell 3.1 points to 45.3 from 48.4 in July. [...]

Housing starts jumped 8.3% last month to 1.978M, almost exactly offsetting their June decline of 7.7% (revised from the initial report of 8.5%). Forecasters anticipated some of the rebound, having projected a 1.89 M total. Single- [...]

Industrial production recovered in July after its June fall. However, the 0.4% gain was less than the 0.5% market forecasters had looked for, and June itself was revised lower, from a 0.3% decline to a 0.5% decline. The hints of [...]

The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) fell 0.1% in July versus Consensus expectations for a 0.1-0.2% rise. As last month, the surprise was fueled by energy prices, which dropped 1.9% after July's 2.6% surge. Seasonally adjusted gasoline [...]

The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) fell 0.1% in July versus Consensus expectations for a 0.1-0.2% rise. As last month, the surprise was fueled by energy prices, which dropped 1.9% after July's 2.6% surge. Seasonally adjusted gasoline [...]