- Real GDP increased at an annual rate of 1.7% in the second quarter of 2013, after increasing at 1.1% in the previous quarter. The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 0.3% in the second quarter, compared to an increase of 1.2% in the previous quarter.
- Personal income increased 0.3%, in June, while personal consumption expenditures increased 0.5%. The price index for personal consumption expenditures increased 0.4% in June.
- Total non-farm payroll employment rose 162 thousand in July, following an increase of 188 thousand in the previous month. Private-sector payrolls increased by 161 thousand in the month, while government employment increased by a thousand.
- The unemployment rate decreased to 7.4% in July, from 7.6% in June.
- The average workweek of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased 0.1 to 34.4 hours.
- Average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased by 2 cents.
- The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased 19 thousand to 326 thousand in the week ending July 27th.
- The Employment Cost Index for total compensation rose 0.5% for the 3-month period ending June 2013.
- Sales of domestic cars increased 4.3% in June, while total light vehicle sales increased 2.6%. Total vehicle sales were 15.812 million units in June, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, compared to 14.325 million in June of 2012.
- New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.5% in June, while shipments decreased 0.4%.
- Construction spending decreased 0.6% in June. Private construction decreased 0.4%, while public construction decreased 1.1%.
- The S & P/Case-Shiller National U.S. Home Price Index posted annual increases of 11.8% and 12.2% in the 12 months ending in May, for the 10-city and 20-city composite indices, respectively. As of May 2013, both composite indexes were back to their spring 2004 levels, and were about 24-25% below their June/July 2006 peaks.
- The Pending Home Sales Index, a leading indicator for the housing sector, decreased 0.4% in June,
- The results of Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey of August 1st showed average fixed mortgage rates increasing while still remaining relatively low.
- Mortgage applications decreased 3.7% from a week earlier, according to data from Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending July 26th.
- The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index, which had improved in June, pulled back slightly in July.
- The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing survey indicated that the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the second consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 50th consecutive month.
- In July, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) non-manufacturing survey results indicated growth for the 43rd consecutive month.
- The Federal Open Market Committee decided to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25%.
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