Economy in Brief: March 2017

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index of 105.3 during February was down just slightly from January, but remained up 13.3% versus February 2016. It remained near the strongest [...]

The headline Final Demand Producer Price Index increased 0.3% during February after a 0.6% January rise. The y/y increase of 2.2% was the strongest since March 2012. The monthly gain exceeded expectations for a 0.1% uptick in the [...]

Japan is hardly firing on all cylinders these days. Its overall business activity index for January is still not finalized since the construction sector has not reported for January. However, I indicate in the table that the overall [...]

French industrial production fell unexpected in January, marking the second decline in IP in a row. Coming at a time when the Markit survey for manufacturing has been going up, that result was quite unanticipated. But once again, it [...]

Nonfarm payrolls increased 235,000 (1.7% y/y) during February. The gain followed a 238,000 January rise and a 155,000 December increase. These figures together were revised up by 9,000. Expectations had been for a 196,000 increase in [...]

Nonfarm payrolls increased 235,000 (1.7% y/y) during February. The gain followed a 238,000 January rise and a 155,000 December increase. These figures together were revised up by 9,000. Expectations had been for a 196,000 increase in [...]

The Federal Reserve's Financial Accounts data show less borrowing still in U.S. financial markets in Q4 2016. The total came to "just" $1,602 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, about half the Q3 amount, $3,194 billion. The [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 243,000 during the week ended March 4 from an unrevised 223,000 claims in the week prior. The latest level remained near the lowest since April 1973. Expectations had been for 237,000 [...]