Economy in Brief

Import prices increased 0.6% during May (4.3% year-on-year), the second consecutive monthly growth of that magnitude; April's gain was revised higher. A 0.4% rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. These [...]

The headline Final Demand Producer Price Index using new methodology jumped 0.5% (3.1% y/y) during May following an unrevised 0.1% uptick in April. A 0.3% increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The PPI [...]

At today's meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the federal funds rate target was increased to a range between 1.75% and 2.00%. The financial markets had expected today's action as indicated in the Action Economics Forecast [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Applications Volume Index fell 1.5% last week (-17.5% y/y), following a 4.1% increase during the prior week. The effective interest rate on a 15-year mortgage increased [...]

Industrial production in EMU is looking very weak. It is fair to say that no matter how you look at it, it is exceptionally weak. In April as well as over three-months there are output declines in all sectors. Of the eleven EMU [...]

The headline Final Demand Producer Price Index using new methodology jumped 0.5% (3.1% y/y) during May following an unrevised 0.1% uptick in April. A 0.3% increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The PPI [...]

Consumer prices increased 0.2% (2.8% y/y) during May for the second straight month. The gain matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The CPI excluding food & energy rose an expected 0.2% (2.2% y/y) after a 0.1% [...]

The U.S. Treasury Department reported that the federal government ran a $146.8 billion budget deficit during May 2018. That compared to a $88.4 billion deficit during May 2017. A $119.5 billion had been expected in the Action [...]