Economy in Brief: September 2018

The Industrial Materials Price Index from the Foundation for International Business and Economic Research (FIBER) fell 1.2% during the last four weeks and extended the decline in prices since the peak in the middle of June. The [...]

Germany's industrial production fell by 1.1% in July, dropping for the second consecutive month. Over three months, IP is advancing at a 1.1% annualized rate. Over six months, it is falling at a 2% pace. Over 12 months, it is rising [...]

The labor market firmed last month. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 201,000 (1.6% y/y) during August following a 147,000 July rise, which was revised down from 157,000 estimated last month. The gain in June payrolls also was lessened to [...]

The labor market firmed last month. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 201,000 (1.6% y/y) during August following a 147,000 July rise, which was revised down from 157,000 estimated last month. The gain in June payrolls also was lessened to [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls increased 163,000 during August (1.8% y/y) following a 217,000 July gain, revised from 219,000. The increase disappointed expectations for a 190,000 [...]

Manufacturers' orders fell 0.8% (+9.0% y/y) during July following a 0.6% June increase, revised from 0.7%. Manufacturing shipments held steady (8.1% y/y) in July after a 1.0% June increase. Durable goods orders declined 1.7% (+9.4% [...]

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) increased to 58.5 during August from 55.7 in July. Despite the increase, the index remained below its February high of 59.5. The [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased to 203,000 (-31.2% y/y) during the week ended September 1 from an unrevised 213,000 during the prior week. It was the lowest level since December 1969. The Action Economics Forecast [...]