- Total Industrial production decreased 0.1% in August, following a 0.2% increase in the previous month. The rate of capacity utilization for total industry was 78.8%, compared with 79.1% in the previous month.
- The current account deficit decreased to $98.5 billion in the second quarter, from $102.1 billion in the previous quarter.
- Housing starts decreased 14.4% to an annualized rate of 956 thousand in August, while building permits decreased 5.6%.
- The housing market index of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo increased to 59 in September.
- The results of Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey of September 18th showed average fixed mortgage rates making their biggest one-week gain so far this year.
- Mortgage applications increased 7.9% from a week earlier, according to data from Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending September 12th.
- The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased 36 thousand to 280 thousand in the week ending September 13.
- Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.4% in August, after holding steady in the previous month.
- In August, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states and decreased in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate increases from July, 15 states had decreases, and 11 states had no change.
- The producer price index for final demand held steady in August, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month. The price index rose 1.8% from August 2013.
- The consumer price index decreased 0.2% in August, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month. The price index rose 1.7% from August 2013. The core index, all items excluding food and energy, held steady in August, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month. The core index was up 1.7% from a year ago.
- The Empire State manufacturing index indicated significant expansion in September.
- The Philadelphia FED’s manufacturing index indicated continued growth in manufacturing activity.
- The Conference Board index of leading economic indicators increased 0.2% in August, following a 1.1% increase in the previous month. The coincident index increased 0.2%, following a 0.1% increase in July.
- The Federal Open Market Committee decided to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25% and to make a further measured reduction in the pace of its asset purchases.
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