Economy in Brief: 2019

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that its Small Business Optimism Index increased to 103.5 during April following little change in March. It was the highest reading since December. The index gained 1.7% [...]

Import prices grew a less-than-expected 0.2% during April (-0.2% year-on-year) following an unrevised 0.6% gain in March. Prices were up 1.0% in February. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected a 0.7% increase in April. These [...]

Retail gasoline prices declined by three cents last week to $2.87 per gallon (-0.2% y/y) after rising slightly during the prior week. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The [...]

The OECD LEIs are adjusted in such a way that both the change and level give the individual series meaning. Levels below 100 indicate subpar growth and declines also point to weakening conditions. The OECD prefers to look at index [...]

The U.S. Treasury Department reported that the federal government ran a $160.3 billion surplus during April compared to a $214.3 billion surplus one year earlier. A $165.0 billion surplus had been expected in the Action Economics [...]

Among eleven of the longest term EMU members, there is always going to be some divergence. The large economy trends continue to show that they are in alignment while the broader community demonstrates some disparity and yet also seems [...]

The National Association of Realtors reported that its Composite Index of Home Affordability declined 2.5% during March (+0.1% y/y). Affordability stood 29.0% below the peak level during January 2013. Together, principal & interest [...]

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.3% (2.0% y/y) during April following a 0.4% March gain. A 0.4% rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The CPI excluding food & energy improved 0.1% (2.1% y/y) for the third [...]