Author Stephen Newton

Economy

Producer prices increased 0.4% in January, seasonally adjusted, after remaining unchanged in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Producer prices rose 2.7% for the twelve months ended January 2017. The index for final demand goods rose 0.7% in January, after increasing 0.1% last month. The index for final demand energy surged 3.4%,

Economy

There were $492.0 billion in retail and food service sales in January, down 0.3% from the previous month but up 3.6% from January 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. December’s number was downwardly revised to reflect no significant change from November 2017. Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – were unchanged. Year-over-year

Economy

The Consumer Price Index grew 0.5% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This followed a 0.2% December increase. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index rose 2.1%. Prices for all items less food and energy, the “core CPI,” grew 0.3% in January, following a 0.2% December

Economy

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index grew to 106.9, 2.0 points above December’s reading. January’s report was one of the highest readings in the 45-year history of the index. Six of the ten index components rose in January, while two declined. Thirty-two percent of business owners surveyed said the next three months was a good

Economy

Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.8% in December, down from a 9.8% rate in November. Total outstanding credit increased $18.4 billion during the month (compared with $31.0 billion in November) to $3.84 trillion. Revolving credit, largely a reflection of credit card debt, grew at an annual rate of 6.0% to

Economy

The U.S. international trade deficit widened in December, growing 5.2% to $53.1 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This was the highest level since October 2008. Imports increased 2.5%, while exports grew 1.8%. November’s trade deficit was downwardly revised from $50.5 billion to $50.4 billion. The goods

Economy

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Index registered 59.9 points in January, 3.9 percentage points above December’s figure. This was the 96th consecutive month of expansion as a reading above 50 indicates growth. Fifteen non-manufacturing industries reported growth in January, while three reported contraction. Growth in the Business Activity Index increased 2.0 points to 59.8, the 102nd consecutive

Economy

New orders for manufactured goods grew 1.7% to $498.7 billion in December, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The increase followed a 1.7% rise in November. New orders for manufactured durable goods grew 2.8% to $249.3 billion in December. Transportation equipment led the increase, rising 7.1% to $86.9 billion. Shipments of manufactured durable goods increased

Economy

Total nonfarm payroll employment grew 200,000 in January, an increase from last month’s reading of 160,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, maintaining the lowest level since December 2000. Private service-providing industries gained 139,000 jobs, led by health care and social assistance services, which added 25,800. Goods-producing

Economy

Construction spending grew 0.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual level (SAAL) of $1,253.3 billion, in December, according to the Census Bureau. November’s spending estimate was downwardly revised to $1,245.1 billion. December’s figure is 2.6% greater than the December 2016 estimate of $1,221.6 billion. Total private construction was $963.2 billion SAAL, a 0.8% increase from the

1 8 9 10 11 12 29