Economy in Brief: May 2019

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 [...]

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened slightly in March to $50.0 billion from $49.3 billion in February. This was spot on expectations of a $50.0 billion deficit from the Action Economics Survey. Exports rose 1.0% m/m [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance declined 2,000 to 228,000 (+8.1% year-on-year) during the week ended May 4 from an unrevised reading of 230,000 in the previous week. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected claims to [...]

The chart mixes quarterly frequency data (dots) with monthly data (line) Japan's consumer confidence ticked down to 40.4 in April from 40.5 in March. In doing so, the index reached a point weaker than what it has seen over three [...]