Economy in Brief: August 2018

Total business inventories increased 0.1% (4.0% y/y) during June following two months of 0.3% increase. Total business sales increased 0.3% (8.2% y/y), following a 1.3% gain. The inventory-to-sales ratio rose to 1.35 from 1.34. It [...]

The chart on German real retail sales tells the story of some revival in the three-month trend as the six-month and 12-month trends continue to sag at a pace less than 1% when annualized. Still, there is some near-term revival and [...]

The Empire State Manufacturing Index of General Business Conditions increased to 25.6 in August, its highest level since October. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected a reading of 20.0. These data, reported by the Federal [...]

The Composite Housing Market Index (HMI) from the National Association of Home Builders-Wells Fargo decreased 1 point in August to 67 from 68 during July, which was unrevised; this month’s reading is unchanged from August 2017. It [...]

Industrial production edged up 0.1% m/m (4.2% y/y) in July but the 0.6% m/m rise initially reported for June was revised up to a sturdy 1.0% m/m increase. The consensus from the Action Economics Survey had looked for a 0.3% m/m gain. [...]

Total retail sales rose 0.5% (6.4% y/y) during July following a 0.2% June gain, revised from 0.5%. A 0.2% increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, retail sales increased [...]

Output per hour in the nonfarm business sector grew at a healthier-than expected 2.9% seasonally adjusted annual rate in Q2'18 (1.3% year-on-year), following a slightly downwardly revised 0.3% gain in Q1. In Q4'17 productivity [...]

Total retail sales rose 0.5% (6.4% y/y) during July following a 0.2% June gain, revised from 0.5%. A 0.2% increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, retail sales increased [...]