Economy in Brief

Manufacturing PMIs rose on broad front in May. Among those listed in the table, only three countries Japan, Taiwan and South Korea showed further manufacturing deterioration. China has been so weak so persistently that its very modest [...]

• The Composite Index remained below the break-even level of 50 for the third straight month. • Monthly improvement in the component series was widespread. • The prices index rose moderately. The coronavirus exhibited less of a [...]

• Construction spending dropped 2.9% in April with net upward revisions to previous months. • April's decline is small compared to other economic statics; looks closer to recent recessions. The value of construction put-in-place fell [...]

• Trade deficit widens to -69.7 billion. • A 25.2% drop in exports more than offsets the 14.3% decline in imports. • All categories of exports and imports decreased in April. The advance estimate of the U.S. trade deficit in goods [...]

A slug of economic data hit the tape at the end of month and for the first time really since the pandemic kicked into gear eco-data have snatched the headlines from COVID-19. The EU Commission indexes are a common set of data across [...]

• Chicago PMI fell to lowest level since March 1982. • ISM-Adjusted measure similarly weakened due to COVID-19. • Lower production & new orders continued to lead decline. The Chicago Purchasing Managers Business Barometer fell to 32.3 [...]

• Trade deficit widens to $69.7 billion. • A 25.2% drop in exports more than offsets the 14.3% decline in imports. • All categories of exports and imports decreased in April. The advance estimate of the U.S. trade deficit in goods [...]

• Spending cutbacks are extensive due to coronavirus. • Personal income jumps with government support. • Price declines are widespread. Personal consumption expenditures declined a record 13.6% (-16.9% y/y) during April prompted by [...]