Tag Archives: US Economy

Data by the United States Department of Labor showed on Thursday that initial claims for unemployment insurance reached 837,000 last week. This marks a decline of 36,000 jobless claims compared with the previous week’s upwardly revised reading of 870,000. It is the fifth consecutive week in which claims come below …

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in September, after declining in August. The US index reached 101.8, up from 86.3 in August. The Present Situation Index increased from 85.8 to 98.5, while the Expectations Index increased from 86.6 in August to 104.0 this month. “Consumer Confidence increased sharply in …

The merchandise trade deficit widened in the United States in August, as imports rose as companies rebuild stocks that ran out when the coronavirus pandemic severely affected the flow of goods. The US Commerce Department said the commodity trade deficit increased 3.5% to $ 82.9 billion last month. Merchandise imports …

The Texas factory production index increased by nine points to 22.3 in September, its highest reading in two years, according to data by the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. This is the fourth consecutive monthly increase for the index, signaling recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, future production …

New home sales in the United States increased by 4.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.011 million units in August, according to data released by the US Department of Commerce on Thursday. This is the highest level for new home sales since September 2006, according to Reuters. July’s …

The IHS Markit Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index posted 54.4 at the end of the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, down from 54.6 in August, adjusted for seasonal factors. However, the index’s quarterly average was the highest since the opening three months of 2019. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit …

The activity in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District’s manufacturing sector expanded at a stronger pace in September than it did in August with the Composite Index of the Richmond Fed’s Survey of Manufacturing Activity rising to 21 from 18. Further details of the report showed that the Manufacturing Shipment Index declined …

Oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased this week, according to data by Baker Hughes. Active oil and gas rigs increased by one to 255, but remained 71% below the level of rigs for the same time last year at 613 rigs. Oil rigs fell by one …

Current account deficit in the United States increased during the second quarter (Q2) of 2020, data by the US Department of Commerce showed on Friday. The current account deficit surged by 52.9% to $170.5 billion in Q2 of 2020, its highest level in about 12 years, since Q3 of 2008. …

The Federal Reserve purchased $25.682 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities this week, compared with $29.69 billion last week, data by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed on Thursday.