Economy in Brief: January 2017

The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Business Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) held at 57.2 during December versus an unrevised 57.2 in November. This level was the highest since October 2015, and [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payroll employment increased 153,000 during December following a 215,000 November rise, revised from 216,000. The October increase of 124,000 also was revised [...]

During all of 2016, total sales of light vehicles rose to a record 17.55 million units, up 0.7% from 17.42 million units sold in 2015, according to the Autodata Corporation. During December alone, sales increased 3.1% versus November [...]

Note how clearly the 'blue line' leads... The way down; the way up; the mini-cycles... Be careful what you wish for... The euro area PMIs for manufacturing and services are heating up. The region no longer looks so growth-challenged, [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Market Volume Index was little changed last week (9.1% y/y) following a 12.1% drop during the week prior. Since their peak early in July, applications have fallen by [...]

The cost of energy products is moving higher. Regular gasoline prices rose to $2.38 per gallon (17.2% y/y) last week, the highest level since early in June. Prices remained down from a 2014 high of $3.71 per gallon. Haver Analytics [...]

Manufacturing PMI data for the most part show ongoing expansion and improvement. Of the 17 key manufacturing reporters in the table, only five show manufacturing PMI values below 50 indicating sector contraction. Only five have [...]

The value of construction put-in-place increased 0.9% during November following a 0.6% October gain, revised from 0.5%. Construction was up 4.1% y/y following stronger growth from 2012 through 2015. The latest rise compared to [...]