Economy in Brief: 2017

The German ZEW reading showed a modest improvement in expectations in March, rising to a reading of 12.8 from February's 10.4. However, it continues to reside below its median. Only the U.S. among countries in the table has an [...]

Regular gasoline prices eased to $2.32 per gallon (+18.5% y/y) last week compared to $2.34 per gallon during the prior week. Prices remained lower than the 2014 high of $3.71 per gallon. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting [...]

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index of 105.3 during February was down just slightly from January, but remained up 13.3% versus February 2016. It remained near the strongest [...]

The headline Final Demand Producer Price Index increased 0.3% during February after a 0.6% January rise. The y/y increase of 2.2% was the strongest since March 2012. The monthly gain exceeded expectations for a 0.1% uptick in the [...]

Japan is hardly firing on all cylinders these days. Its overall business activity index for January is still not finalized since the construction sector has not reported for January. However, I indicate in the table that the overall [...]

French industrial production fell unexpected in January, marking the second decline in IP in a row. Coming at a time when the Markit survey for manufacturing has been going up, that result was quite unanticipated. But once again, it [...]

Nonfarm payrolls increased 235,000 (1.7% y/y) during February. The gain followed a 238,000 January rise and a 155,000 December increase. These figures together were revised up by 9,000. Expectations had been for a 196,000 increase in [...]

Nonfarm payrolls increased 235,000 (1.7% y/y) during February. The gain followed a 238,000 January rise and a 155,000 December increase. These figures together were revised up by 9,000. Expectations had been for a 196,000 increase in [...]