Economy in Brief: November 2020

• State initial claims fall to their lowest level since March 14. • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance declined to mid-April level. • Continuing claims decreased for state, while PUA and PEUC increase. • First time since late [...]

Portugal's inflation rates in October show continued temperance. The year-on-year HICP is lower by 0.6% compared to a 0.1% decline for both the national CPI and the national CPI core measure. Inflation momentum shows the HICP measure [...]

• Home purchase applications fall sharply for second straight week. • Financing rates plumb new lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Loan Applications Index eased 0.5% (+46.7% y/y) in the week ended November 6 after [...]

• Home purchase applications fall sharply for second straight week. • Financing rates plumb new lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage Loan Applications Index eased 0.5% (+46.7% y/y) in the week ended November 6 after [...]

The economic situation is evaluated by the ZEW experts as a mixed situation in November. Expectations are not as fragmented and are viewed as weaker across the board. Inflation expectations are weaker everywhere as well. Interest rate [...]

• The number of job openings improves slightly. • Layoffs decline but quits rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that on the last business day of September, the total job openings rate held steady at 4.3%. August's figure was [...]

• Stability in NFIB Small Business Optimism follows strong gains. • Employment readings ease. • Pricing gauges strengthen. The National Federation of Independent Business' (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index held steady at 104.0 [...]

• Crude oil prices rise to $37.82; remain in $37 to $43 range since June. • Gasoline prices edge down. The price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil increased to an average of $37.82 per barrel (-33.4% y/y) in the week [...]