Economy in Brief

Manufacturers' orders gained 1.6% (+8.1% year-on-year) during March, the second consecutive monthly increase of this magnitude. Manufacturing shipments rose 0.4% (6.8% y/y) to a record high $503 billion. Shipments have grown for 12 [...]

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services declined to $48.96 billion during March from $57.74 billion in February, revised from $57.6 billion. It was the narrowest deficit in six months. A $52.3 billion deficit had been expected in [...]

Initial claims for unemployment insurance edged higher to 211,000 (-12.8% y/y) in the week ending April 28, from an unrevised 209,000 in the prior week. Claims had fallen sharply in the week ending April 21 and the Action Economics [...]

At today's meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the federal funds rate target was held constant in a range between 1.50% and 1.75%. The financial markets had expected today's action as indicated in the Action Economics [...]

Quarterly GDP slows in EMU in the Q1 and also slows in all the original EMU members that are early reporters – Spain excepted. Growth also slows in the United States and slows sharply in the United Kingdom. More broadly, year-over- [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Applications Volume Index fell 2.5% last week (-4.2% y/y), following a 0.2% slip during the prior week. Purchase loan applications declined 1.6% (+4.9% y/y), after [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls increased 204,000 during April following a 228,000 March increase, revised from 241,000. A 201,000 rise had been expected in the Action Economics [...]

The value of construction put-in-place improved 0.1% (3.7% y/y) during February following unrevised stability in January. A 0.4% rise in building activity had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Private sector [...]