Economy in Brief

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that its Small Business Optimism Index fell to 107.9 during September after reaching a record high of 108.8 in August. The index level remained 4.8% higher than it was [...]

The OECD leading economic indicators (LEIs) show all countries/regions in the top panel below a value of 100 in August except for the United States which stands at a level of 100. Month-to-month only the U.S. and China have improved [...]

Consumer credit outstanding increased $20.07 billion (4.7% y/y) during August after a $16.60 billion July rise, revised from $16.65 billion. It was the strongest gain in three months. A $15.0 billion gain had been expected in the [...]

The graphic on German orders is quite clear. Domestic and foreign order growth saw German firms peaking in late-2017 or early-2018 with domestic orders peaking first. Since then there has been a slowdown in place that has progressed [...]

The labor market remains on a firm footing. Nonfarm payrolls increased 134,000 (1.7% y/y) during September, though it was the weakest increase in twelve months. The August rise, however, was revised to 270,000 from 201,000, and the [...]

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened to $53.24 billion in August from a slightly downwardly revised $50.04 billion in July. This was the widest deficit since February and in line with the advance trade report. A [...]

The labor market remains on a firm footing. Nonfarm payrolls increased 134,000 (1.7% y/y) during September, though it was the weakest increase in twelve months. The August rise, however, was revised to 270,000 from 201,000, and the [...]

Manufacturers' orders fell 0.8% (+9.0% y/y) during July......... All these factory sector figures are available in Haver's USECON database. Factory Sector (% chg) - NAICS Classification Aug Jul Jun Aug Y/Y 2017 2016 2015 New Orders [...]