Economic Updates
Tuesday, February 23
Last Week in the News The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index rose two points in February to 17. It was the first gain in five months. Economists had anticipated a dip to 14. An index reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market.The c...
Economic Updates
Tuesday, February 16
Last Week in the News Retail sales rose 0.5% in January, following a revised 0.1% decrease in December. Economists had anticipated retail sales to rise 0.3% in January. On a year-over-year basis, retail sales increased 4.7%.Total business inventories unexpectedly fell 0.2% in December due to st...
Economic Updates
Tuesday, February 09
Last Week in the News The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly index of manufacturing activity rose to 58.4 in January after reaching 54.9 in December. It was the sixth straight month of expansion and the fastest pace of growth since August 2004. A reading above 50 signals ...
Economic Updates
Monday, February 01
Last Week in the News The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. It was the second consecutive quarter of growth and the fastest pace since the t...
Economic Updates
Friday, January 29
Last Week in the News The index of leading economic indicators — designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months — rose a better-than-expected 1.1% in December after a revised 1% gain in November. It was the ninth straight monthly increase.The Commerce Department reported...
Economic Updates
Tuesday, January 19
Last Week in the News The Commerce Department reported the trade deficit grew 9.7% to $36.4 billion in November from a revised $33.2 billion in October. Economists had expected the trade deficit to widen to $34.5 billion. Exports increased 0.9%, the seventh consecutive monthly gain. The growth...