Economy in Brief: April 2018

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened to $57.6 billion during February from $56.7 billion in January, revised from $56.6 billion. It was the largest deficit since October 2009. A $56.7 billion deficit had been expected [...]

Initial applications for jobless insurance climbed to 242,000 during the week ended March 31 from 218,000 in the prior week. That March 24 number is revised from 215,000. Despite the 24,000 increase in the latest week, initial claims [...]

The EMU continues to make growth progress and make progress in reducing the unemployment rate in the area. The EMU unemployment rate is down to its 2008 low. But bigger issue loom. Euro-Kumbaya! Among the original EMU members, all [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its total Mortgage Applications Volume Index declined 3.3% last week (-2.3% y/y), following a 4.8% increase during the prior week. Purchase loan applications fell 2.1% (+5.2% y/y), after [...]

Manufacturers' orders rebounded 1.2% (+7.1% year-on-year) during February following a 1.3% decline in January. Manufacturing shipments increased 0.2% (+6.1% y/y) to a record high $501 billion. Shipments have risen for 11 consecutive [...]

Business activity in the service sector moderated last month. The Composite Index of Nonmanufacturing Sector Activity from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) slipped to 58.8 during March from an unrevised 59.5 in February. It [...]

The ADP/Moody's National Employment Report indicated that private nonfarm payrolls increased 241,000 (1.9% y/y) during March following a 246,000 February gain, revised from 235,000. A 210,000 rise had been expected in the Action [...]

Total sales of light vehicles increased 2.4% during March (3.9% y/y) to 17.48 million units (SAAR), following two months of decline, according to the Autodata Corporation. Despite the rebound, last month's sales remained below an [...]