Economy in Brief: 2013

Job market improvement remains on a steady, if moderate, growth track. Nonfarm payroll employment grew 203,000 (1.7% y/y) during November following slightly revised gains of 200,000 and 175,000 during the prior two months. The rise [...]

The outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that 45,314 job cuts (-20.6% y/y) were announced during November, roughly constant with October. Layoffs rose in the energy, entertainment/leisure, food, industrial goods, [...]

The rate of labor market improvement is strengthening. Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 298,000 last week (-19.5% y/y) following an unrevised 316,000 during the week ended November 23. It was nearly the lowest level [...]

A rising level of inventories accompanied by modest final demand was the theme of last quarter's improved economic growth. Real GDP growth for Q3'13 was revised up to 3.6% (1.8% y/y) from 2.8%. Growth was the firmest since Q1'12 and [...]

A rising level of inventories accompanied by modest final demand was the theme of last quarter's improved economic growth. Real GDP growth for Q3'13 was revised up to 3.6% (1.8% y/y) from 2.8%. Growth was the firmest since Q1'12 and [...]

Job growth recovered last month. The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated a 215,000 rise (1.9% y/y) in non-farm private sector jobs during November, the firmest increase in a year. Consensus expectations were for a 175,000 [...]

The Composite Index for the service and construction sectors from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) declined sharply during November to 53.9 after an increase to 55.4 in October. The latest was the lowest level since June and [...]

New home sales during October jumped 25.4% to 444,000 following a 6.6% September decline. These figures were released jointly due to the federal government shutdown. The latest figure compared to expectations for 435,000 sales in the [...]