Economy in Brief

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) declined to 53.9 during November from 54.7 in October. The figure compared to the high of 60.8 in September 2018. A reading of 54.5 [...]

The ADP National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls rose 67,000 (1.5% y/y) during November following a 121,000 October increase, revised from 125,000. The gain fell below expectations for a 140,000 rise in the [...]

The Autodata Corporation reported that sales of light vehicles during November rose 3.7% (-1.3% y/y) to 17.20 million units (SAAR) and reversed most of the prior month's decline to 16.58 million. During the first eleven months of [...]

Retail gasoline prices held steady last week at $2.58 per gallon (+5.1% y/y). Typically, gasoline prices weaken this time of year. After applying the seasonal factor constructed by Haver Analytics, gasoline prices increased to $2.69 [...]

The value of construction put-in-place fell 0.8% (+1.1% y/y) during October following a 0.3% September decline, revised from +0.5%. August's 1.1% increase was revised from -0.3%. A 0.4% October rise had been expected in the Action [...]

The ISM Manufacturing Diffusion Index eased to 48.1 during November after rising slightly to 48.3 in October. A reading of 49.1 had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Since 2009, there has been a 71% correlation [...]

Manufacturers' orders for durable goods declined 1.1% (-5.4% y/y) during September...... The durable goods figures are available in Haver's USECON database. The Action Economics consensus forecast figure is in the AS1REPNA database. [...]

The Chicago Business Barometer fell sharply to 43.2 during October........ The MNI Chicago Report is produced by MNI in partnership with ISM-Chicago. The survey covers a sample of over 200 purchasing professionals in the Chicago area [...]