Economy in Brief

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that pending sales of existing homes increased 0.4% (-3.0% year-on-year) in March to an index level of 107.6 (2001=100). Sales have slowed somewhat with the first quarter averaging [...]

The chart shows the gradual roll-over in EMU money and credit growth. Both series have slowed over 12 months compared to their year-ago rates of growth. EMU private sector credit growth is at 1.4%, down from 1.8% a year ago. However, [...]

Personal consumption expenditures in March bounced back an expected 0.4% (4.4% y/y) following stability in February. The gain matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Real personal spending also rose 0.4% (2.4% [...]

The EU indexes for the EMU area showed an unchanged headline in April at 112.7. The sector indexes showed unchanged conditions in the industrial sector and construction. Falling on the month were retailing and services. The consumer [...]

The employment cost index for civilian workers rose 0.6% q/q in the fourth quarter of 2017, down from a 0.7% q/q rise in the third quarter. However, the y/y rate of increase advanced to 2.7% in the fourth quarter from 2.5% in the [...]

U.S. economic growth continued to slow in Q1'18. In the advance estimate, gross domestic product grew at a 2.3% annual rate following Q4'17 growth of 2.9% and a 3.2% gain during Q3'17. A 2.1% increase had been expected in the Action [...]

The employment cost index (ECI) for civilian workers rose 0.8% q/q in Q1 2018, tying Q1 2017 as the strongest quarterly move since late 2007. This Q1 move firmed from 0.6% in Q4 2017 and generated a y/y rise of 2.7%, the same as in [...]

U.S. economic growth continued to slow in Q1'18. In the advance estimate, gross domestic product grew at a 2.3% annual rate following Q4'17 growth of 2.9% and a 3.2% gain during Q3'17. A 2.1% increase had been expected in the Action [...]