The Chicago Purchasing Managers reported the CHICAGO BUSINESS BAROMETER stabilized at the average of the May and June readings. The report was characterized by substantial declines in EMPLOYMENT and SUPPLIER DELIVERIES. Still, the Business Barometer posted its 22nd month of ...

Consumer confidence tumbled in July to its lowest level since early 2009 when the economy was still in recession. Prospects for economic growth were much more negative, and the unemployment rate was expected to rise twice as frequently as decline. Personal financial expectations slipped as the majority of consumers anticipated no income ...

Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the second quarter of 2011, (that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In ...

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending June 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.4 percent, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of ...

New York City business activity bounced off a two-year low, according to the survey taken by the Institute for Supply Management-New York (ISM-NY). The Current Business Conditions index rose to 57.2 in July from a revised 52.3 in June.

Future optimism also rebounded somewhat from a two-year low. The Six-Month Outlook index increased to 63.2 in July from a revised 53.9 in June. ...

Growth in Tenth District manufacturing slowed in July after a solid rebound in June. However, producers remain generally upbeat about future activity. Price indexes were little changed from the previous month, though plans to raise selling prices eased somewhat.

The month-over-month composite index was 3 in July, down from 14 in June but up from 1 in May. The composite index is an average of the production, new orders, employment, supplier delivery time, and raw materials inventory indexes. Growth in factory activity increased at ...

Pending home sales increased in June following a wide swing down in April and then up in May, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Activity increased in the West and South but declined in the Midwest and Northeast; all regions show strong double-digit gains from a ...

For the week ending July 16, 2011, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer fell -0.2 percent after it jumped +1.2% in the prior week. Seasonally adjusted auto and truck production gained consecutively but lumber production of Western region fell, giving back most of its gain of the prior week. On the consumption side, inflation adjusted chain ...

In the week ending July 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 398,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 422,000. The 4-week moving average was 413,750, a decrease of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average ...

Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts indicated that economic activity continued to grow; however, the pace has moderated in many Districts. The six Districts nearest the Atlantic seaboard reported a slowdown in activity since the previous Beige Book report; activity was little changed in the Atlanta District and unchanged or ...

New orders for manufactured durable goods in June decreased $4.0 billion or 2.1 percent to $192.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 1.9 percent May increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.8 ...

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) was essentially unchanged in June, at a seasonally adjusted level of 84.0 (2007 = 100). Revised data show the index increased 0.4% in May. The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) was also essentially unchanged in June. Regional output in June rose ...

Mortgage applications decreased 5.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 22, 2011.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 5.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 4.9 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 5.5 ...

Sales of new single-family houses in June 2011 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 312,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 1.0 percent (±12.5%) below the revised May rate of 315,000, but is 1.6 percent (±14.1%) above the June ...

Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region stalled in July after firming somewhat in June, according to the Richmond Fed's latest survey. The index of overall activity was pushed lower as growth in new orders and shipments edged into negative territory. Employment, however, continued to grow but at a pace below June's rate. ...

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in June, improved slightly in July. The Index now stands at 59.5 (1985=100), up from 57.6 in June. The Present Situation Index decreased to 35.7 from 36.6. The Expectations Index rose to 75.4 from 71.6 ...

Data through May 2011, released today by S&P Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed a second consecutive month of increase in prices for the 10- and 20-City Composites. The 10- and 20-City Composites were up 1.1% and 1.0%, respectively, in May over April. Sixteen of the 20 MSAs and ...

The positive retail beat continued for the fourth consecutive week as retail sales rose slightly as a result warm weather and seasonal clearance sales. Overall for the week ending July 23, weekly retail sales rose by 0.3 percent, according to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. On a year-over-year basis the pace of retail ...

Texas factory activity expanded in July, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, rose from 5.6 to 10.8, suggesting output growth picked up this month.

Other measures of current manufacturing conditions also indicated growing activity, and the pace of new orders increased. The shipments index rose to a reading of 7.8 after coming in at zero last month. The capacity utilization index was positive but remained near zero, ...

Led by improvements in housing-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index increased to –0.46 in June from –0.55 in May; however, the index remained negative for the third consecutive month. Three of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index improved in June, but only one made a positive contribution to ...

Responses to the Business Outlook Survey suggest that regional manufacturing activity remained weak in July. The survey's indicators for activity and new orders, which had turned negative last month, recovered somewhat but are at very low positive readings. Firms indicated that employment grew modestly while the average workweek lessened. ...

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in June to 115.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.8 percent increase in May, and a 0.3 percent decline in April. The largest positive contributions came from money supply, the interest rate spread, and ...

For the week ending July 9, 2011, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer rose sharply by +1.2 percent to 96.7, the highest level since 96.9, posted in the week ending October 18, 2008. Three of the production components contributed most to the barometer’s increase in the latest week; seasonally adjusted auto and truck production, and ...

In the week ending July 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 408,000. The 4-week moving average was 421,250, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average ...

Existing-home sales eased in June as contract cancellations spiked unexpectedly, although prices were up slightly, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Sales gains in the Midwest and South were offset by declines in the Northeast and West. Single-family home sales were stable while the condo sector weakened. ...

Mortgage applications rose 15.5% last week as refinancing activity surged, according to a leading trade association.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its market composite index on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ended July 15 climbed 15.5% from the prior week, which included the July 4 holiday. The index rose 44% on an unadjusted basis. ...

BUILDING PERMITS
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 624,000. This is 2.5 percent (±1.3%) above the revised May rate of 609,000 and is 6.7 percent (±2.0%) above the June 2010 estimate of 585,000. Single-family authorizations in June were at a rate of 407,000; this is ...

Retailers enjoyed another week of positive sales results as overall sales momentum continued this past week as consumers continued to spend on seasonal and clearance items. As a result, for the week ending July 16, weekly retail sales rose for the fourth consecutive week by 0.4 percent, according to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store ...

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose two points to 15 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for July, released today. The gain largely offsets a three-point dip recorded in June, and marks the ninth time out of the past 10 months in which the index has held ...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for May 2011. Foreign residents increased their holdings of long-term U.S. securities in May — net purchases were $44.6 billion. Net purchases by private foreign investors were $21.4 billion, and net purchases by foreign official institutions were ...

Industrial production increased 0.2 percent in June after having edged down 0.1 percent in May. For the second quarter as a whole, total industrial production increased at an annual rate of 0.8 percent. Manufacturing output was unchanged in June. In the second quarter, supply chain disruptions following the earthquake in Japan curtailed ...

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.2 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index declined sharply in June, falling 6.8 percent. While ...

Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.2 percent from May to June, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This change stemmed from a 0.2 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), while average hourly earnings ...

The July Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that conditions for New York manufacturers deteriorated for a second consecutive month. The general business conditions index remained below zero, at -3.8. The new orders index also remained negative, while the shipments index increased to a level slightly above zero. The indexes for both ...

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for May, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,184.2 billion, down 0.1 percent (±0.1%) from April 2011 and up 11.6 percent (±0.4%) from ...

For the week ending July 2, 2011, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer was up +0.3 percent following an increase of +0.5 percent, lifted again by consumption components. In the latest week, inflation adjusted chain store sales increased two weeks in a row, reversing its course of the prior two weeks. Mortgage activities revived as well while ...

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for June, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $387.8 billion, an increase of 0.1 percent (±0.5%)* from the previous month, and 8.1 percent (±0.7%) above June 2010. Total sales ...

The Producer Price Index for finished goods decreased 0.4 percent in June, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This decline followed increases of 0.2 percent in May and 0.8 percent in April. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods were unchanged in June, ...

In the week ending July 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 405,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 427,000. The 4-week moving average was 423,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average ...

U.S. import prices fell 0.5 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, the first monthly decline since June 2010. Declining fuel and nonfuel prices both contributed to the overall decrease. U.S. export prices ticked up 0.1 percent in June after rising 0.2 percent ...

Mortgage applications decreased 5.1 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 8, 2011. This week's results include an adjustment to account for the Fourth of July holiday.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan ...

There were 3.0 million job openings on the last business day of May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The hires rate (3.1 percent) and separations rate (3.1 percent) were again little changed over the month. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total ...

The Nation’s international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $50.2 billion in May from $43.6 billion (revised) in April, as imports increased and exports decreased.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that total May exports of $174.9 billion and imports of $225.1 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $50.2 billion, up from $43.6 billion in ...

NFIB’s monthly Small-Business Optimism Index dropped one tenth of a point (0.1) in June, settling at 90.8, basically unchanged from the previous month. While some indicators rose slightly, including expected capital outlays, pessimism about future business conditions and expected real sales gains pulled the Index down, causing a small ...

As most of the countrys weather heated up this past week so did weekly retail sales giving retailers their third consecutive week of positive sales results. Overall for the week ending July 9, weekly retail sales rose once again by a modest 0.4 percent, according to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. However, on ...

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™(ETI) increased slightly in June to 100.0, up from May’s revised figure of 99.5. The June figure is up 5.4 percent from a year ago.

The behavior of the Employment Trends Index in recent months is consistent with weak job growth, rather than an outright decline. The abysmal uptick in employment in the past two months is not just a reaction to the slowdown in economic activity in the first half of 2011, ...

Consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 2-1/2 percent in May 2011. Revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 5 percent, and nonrevoling credit increased at an annual rate of 1-1/4 percent.

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The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that May 2011 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $393.7 billion, down 0.2 percent (+/-0.2%)* from the revised April level, but were up 14.5 percent (+/-1.2%) ...

Nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged in June (+18,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in most major private-sector industries changed little over the month. Government employment continued to ...

After declining consecutively for two weeks, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer was up +0.5 percent for the week ending June 25, 2011, lifted solely by a consumption component. In the latest week, inflation adjusted chain store sales unexpectedly rose sharply, reversing its course of the prior two weeks. On the production side, truck ...