Economy in Brief: 2019

Japan sits in a position where it risks being collateral damage in a U.S.-China trade war. It could also be a beneficiary, but that seems less likely. As the trade war ‘disrupts' supply chains that run through China, a number of firms [...]

The Conference Board's Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators fell 0.3% (+1.6% y/y) during June following unrevised stability in May. It was the first decline in six months. A 0.1% uptick had been expected in the Action [...]

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported that its General Factory Sector Business Conditions Index increased to 21.8 in July after June's decline to 0.3. It was the highest index level in twelve months. A reading of 5.0 had [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance increased 8,000 to 216,000 (1.9% year-on-year) during the week ending July 13 from a slightly downwardly-revised reading of 208,000 in the previous week (was 209,000). The previous week [...]

The slowdown in European vehicle registrations continues. June marks the second monthly decline in registrations in a row with a 7.9% drop. While shorter term growth rates are positive, the year-on-year pace is -6.2%. On three-month [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Applications Index fell 1.1% (+36.0% y/y) during the week ending July 12 and added to the prior week's 2.4% decline. The fall reflected a 3.8% drop (+6.9% y/y) in [...]

Housing starts eased 0.9% (+6.2% y/y) during June to 1.253 million (SAAR) from 1.265 million in May, revised from 1.269 million. Starts in April also were revised to 1.270 million from 1.199 million. The Action Economics Forecast [...]

in the U.S. increased to $2.78 per gallon (-3.0% y/y) from $2.74 in the previous week. It was the highest price since early-June. Haver Analytics adjusts for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The seasonally adjusted [...]