Economy in Brief

The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index fell to 104.7 during March from 105.3 in February, but remained up versus 92.6 in March 2016. Forty-six percent of firms reported they [...]

The Bank of France cut back its outlook for growth to 0.3% in the first quarter from a previous estimate of 0.4%. Its business index in March fell to 102.6 from 103.7 in February. The February index had jumped to that level from [...]

The Labor Market Conditions Index (LMCI) from the Federal Reserve Board includes 19 indicators of labor market activity, covering the broad categories of unemployment and underemployment. These include jobs, workweeks, wages, [...]

Consumer credit outstanding strengthened $15.2 billion during February following a $10.7 billion January increase, revised from $8.8 billion. A $15.0 billion increase had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. During [...]

German industrial output has put in a better-than-expected February with output rising by 2.2% month-to-month, the same as in January. Overall output is now expanding at a robust 9.1% annualized rate two months into Q1... so much for [...]

The labor market softened this winter. Nonfarm payrolls rose 98,000 (1.6% y/y) during March. The increase followed a 219,000 February rise and a 216,000 January gain. These figures together were revised down by 38,000. Expectations [...]

Inventories at the wholesale level rose 0.4% (+3.3% y/y) during February following an unrevised decrease of 0.2% in January. Durable goods inventories were up 0.2% (+1.7% y/y) after January's 0.2% decline. Motor vehicle stocks added [...]

The labor market softened this winter. Nonfarm payrolls rose 98,000 (1.6% y/y) during March. The increase followed a 219,000 February rise and a 216,000 January gain. These figures together were revised down by 38,000. Expectations [...]