Economy in Brief

The ZEW graph on macroeconomic expectations does not summarize the whole ZEW report, but it does provide a clear picture that offers a good overview. The data plot shows expectations for future macroeconomic conditions losing ground [...]

The Composite Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders-Wells Fargo fell slightly during February. The index level of 74 compared to 75 in January but remained up 19.4% y/y. It remained, however, near the [...]

The Empire State Manufacturing Index of General Business Conditions increased to a nine-month high of 12.9 during February, extending modest gains during the prior two months. A reading of 5.0 had been expected in the Action Economics [...]

• Import prices were unchanged in January as a 2.2% m/m drop in fuel prices offset a modest rise in nonfuel prices. • In contrast, export prices unexpectedly surged 0.7% m/m, the largest monthly increase since last March, led by a [...]

• Industrial production declined 0.3% in January with both manufacturing and utility output contracting. • Factory production edged down 0.1% as the 737 MAX shutdown led to a 10.7% plummet in aircraft. • Utility output fell 4.0% with [...]

GDP growth in Europe is slowing. In Q4 2019, GDP in the EMU slowed to an annualized gain of 0.2%, down from 1.1% in Q3. GDP slowed quarter-to-quarter in the EMU as well as in six of the eight EMU countries listed in the table. GDP [...]

The National Association of Realtors reported that its Fixed Rate Mortgage Housing Affordability Index fell 1.2% m/m (+10.4% y/y) to 161.8 in December from 163.7 in November. It was the lowest level of affordability since August and [...]

Total business inventories rose an expected 0.1% (2.2% y/y) during December following an unrevised 0.2% November decline. The expected figure is from the Informa Global Markets survey. At the same time, business sales fell 0.1% (+1.7% [...]