The United States House of Representatives recently passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package to help the American economy face the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID) pandemic. The bill was passed by the Democratic majority in the house, however, objections from Republicans mean the relief package is not likely to pass …
Read More »US Consumer Sentiment Rises in September
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 80.4 in September, up from 74.1 in August, data showed on Friday. The index remains well below its levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which reached a peak of 101 in February, and below its level for the same period last …
Read More »US Factory Orders Slightly Rises in August
Factory orders in the United States increased for the fourth consecutive month during August, according to data by Department of Commerce on Friday. Orders levelled up by 0.7% last month, after rising by 6.5% in July. Durable goods orders went up by 0.5%, while nondurable goods orders advanced by 0.8%.
Read More »US Jobless Claims Decrease by 36,000
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 …
Read More »US Consumer Confidence Rebounds
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 …
Read More »US Commodity Trade Deficit Widened in August
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 …
Read More »Texas Production Activity Expands in September
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 …
Read More »US New Home Sales Rise in August
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 …
Read More »US PMI Declines in September but Manufacturing Sector Advances
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 …
Read More »Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index Edges Higher in September
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 …
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