Something Is Still Not Right
April 24, 2026 The economy is chugging along with GDP growth of about 2.0% despite a number of headwinds. The unemployment rate is 4.3% so everybody who wants a job has one. On the surface the economy is doing relatively well. But consumer confidence is at a...
Initial Unemployment Claims
April 23, 2026 Initial unemployment claims rose by 6 thousand to 214 thousand in the week ending April 18 after having declined 10 thousand in the previous week. The number of people receiving unemployment benefits rose 12 thousand in the week ending April 11 to...
Pending Home Sales
April 21, 2026 Pending home sales rose 1. 5% in March to 73.7 after gaining 2.5% in February. The National Association of Realtors chief economist, Lawrence Yun said, “Contract signings rose in March despite higher mortgage rates, pointing to pent-up housing...
Retail Sales
April 21, 2026 Retail sales jumped 1.7% in March after climbing 0.7% in February. In the past year retail sales have risen 4.1%. Consumers continue to spend even as the war with Iran began in March. Motor vehicle sales climbed 0.5% in March after rising 1.0% in...
The End of the War
April 17, 2026 Every day there is a new headline about the course of the war in Iran. Today’s news was unambiguously positive. Iran and Israel announced a 10-day cease fire. Iran agreed to re-open the Strait of Hormuz. The stock market surged. Crude oil and gas...
Industrial Production
April 16, 2026 Industrial production declined 0.5% in March after having risen 0.7% in February. In the past year industrial production has risen 0.7%. Breaking industrial production down into its three basic categories -- manufacturing, mining, and utilities ...
Homebuilder Confidence
April 15, 2026 Homebuilder confidence fell 4 points in April to 34 after having risen 1 point in March. Builders are still worried about the imposition of tariffs, high mortgage rates, and affordability. The breakeven point for this series is 50 so at 34 it is...
Producer Price Index
April 14, 2026 . The Producer Price Index for final demand includes producer prices for goods, as well as prices for construction, services, government purchases, and exports and covers over 75% of domestic production. Producer prices for final demand rose 0.5% in...
Small Business Optimism
April 14, 2026 . Small business optimism declined 3.0 points in March to 95.8 after falling 0.5 point in February. The index level is somewhat below its 40-year average rate of 98.0 which is regarded as the breakeven point for this series. NFIB Chief Economist...
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