The increases (in gas prices) looks like it's hitting a critical level. |
The inflation numbers are really good. It's a very encouraging sign that consumers will be able to stretch their incomes a little bit further, and that bodes well for the economy going forward. |
The jobless claims drop shows good strength in the labor market at the end of the year. It shows that the economy has recovered after the hurricanes and is heading into the new year with good momentum and good job prospects. |
The longer Congress delays helping the economy out, the longer the economy will remain weak. |
The lower-than-expected number of new jobless claims shows that the labor market is continuing to improve. It suggests that the economy is strong and that companies are feeling more comfortable about hanging on to workers. |
The October home sales data were strong, but we are seeing more moderate price increases for new homes suggesting that the housing market is gradually cooling off. |
The personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price deflator was revised from 0.7 percent annual rate to 1.0, ... That's still very low, but it was revised upward instead of downward. There is possibly some building inflationary pressure, but it's still very benign. |
The personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price deflator was revised from 0.7 percent annual rate to 1.0. That's still very low, but it was revised upward instead of downward. There is possibly some building inflationary pressure, but it's still very benign. |
The Philadelphia Fed business outlook index is still above zero in January, pointing to expansion, but the expansion is not quite as broad. |
The PPI numbers generally have been running higher than the CPI numbers, showing that the higher production costs are not being passed on. |
The rise in the employment component, combined with the drop in new jobless claims reported earlier today, suggests that employment conditions remain good at the start of the year. |
The upturn in confidence is an encouraging sign that economic conditions are stabilizing after the hurricanes. Lower energy prices are helping, but the upturn in employment is also a plus. |
The values of the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar and the Canadian dollar, as measured relative to the U.S. dollar, have been important signals of changing trends in global economic activity. |
The warm weather meant that utilities didn't have to produce the seasonal norm, which occasionally happens in the wintertime. |
The weakness was primarily in the residential area. That's consistent with the other data we've seen recently that suggest that the housing market is cooling off. |