Economy in Brief: 2008

U.S. import price overall jumped another 2.6% last month. That was little changed from the gains in each of the prior three months and it exceeded the expected 2.0% increase. During the last three months import prices have risen at a [...]

The OECD cyclically adjusted leading indicators are pointing severely lower. Japan continues to point to recovery in the LEI scheme of the OPED, yet many Japanese domestic indicators continue to unravel such as its consumer confidence [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in May to $59.8B from a little-revised $60.5B in April. A May deficit of $62.4B had been generally expected. So far this year the monthly deficit has averaged $59.0B versus $59.8B [...]

The U.S. foreign trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in May to $59.8B from a little-revised $60.5B in April. A May deficit of $62.4B had been generally expected. So far this year the monthly deficit has averaged $59.0B versus $59.8B [...]

Industrial output in the Euro Area is now in a clear downturn, judging from the trends in the Zone’s main economies. For a while, as the euro rose in value, it seemed as though the Euro Area was bullet-proof. German industrial [...]

Initial claims for jobless insurance fell sharply last week to 346,000 from an unrevised level of 404,000 during the week prior. The decline outpaced Consensus expectations for a lesser dip to 395,000 claims. It likely reflected the [...]

Initial claims for jobless insurance fell sharply last week to 346,000 from an unrevised level of 404,000 during the week prior. The decline outpaced Consensus expectations for a lesser dip to 395,000 claims. It likely reflected the [...]

Euro Area GDP grew by 0.7 percent (simple Q/Q rate; also 2.9% saar) in the first quarter from the fourth quarter, and was up 2.1 percent year on year. The figures show a downward revision to provisional figures reported on June 3. [...]