Key Economic Indicators – February 24, 2014

  • December existing home sales decreased 5.1% to an annualized rate of 4,620 thousand units, according to the National Association of Realtors. The median sales price of existing houses sold was $188.9 thousand, 10.7% above January 2013.
  • Housing starts decreased 16.0% to an annualized rate of 880 thousand in January.
  • The results of Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey of February 20th showed average fixed mortgage rates up slightly for the second week.
  • Mortgage applications decreased 4.1% from a week earlier, according to data from Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending February 14th.
  • The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased 3 thousand to 336 thousand in the week ending February 15.
  • The producer price index for final demand rose 0.2% in January, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month. The price index rose 1.2% from January 2013.
  • The consumer price index rose 0.1% in January, following a 0.3% increase in the previous month. The price index rose 1.6% from January 2013.
  • The Empire State manufacturing index indicated slight improvement in manufacturing activity.
  • The Philadelphia FED’s manufacturing index indicated a decline in manufacturing activity.
  • The Conference Board index of leading economic indicators increased 0.3% in January, while the coincident index increased 0.1%.

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