Topic: Business Conditions

Business Conditions

Core Consumer Prices Up 2.4 Percent, Fastest Since 2008

– September 12, 2019

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 percent in August as falling energy prices mask accelerating core prices.

Business Conditions

September Business Conditions Monthly

– September 12, 2019

AIER’s leading indicators index rose in August, moving slightly above neutral; consumers remain key.

Business Conditions

Small-Business Confidence and Job Openings Decline Slightly

– September 10, 2019

Small business confidence weakened in August while job openings fell very slightly in July, but both remain at high levels. Economic data overall have been mixed and uncertainty remains high. Caution is warranted.

Business Conditions

Jobs Report Sends Mixed Signals

– September 6, 2019

U.S. private payrolls added just 96,000 jobs in August, raising concerns about the strength of the labor market and durability of the economic expansion. Erratic and unpredictable policy remain the biggest risks.

Business Conditions

ISM Surveys Suggest Diverging Paths

– September 5, 2019

The ISM’s nonmanufacturing index rebounded in August, countering the weak results from the manufacturing report. However, erratic and unpredictable policies are keeping risks elevated.

Business Conditions

ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index Points to Further Weakness

– September 3, 2019

The ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell below neutral for the first time in three years and highlights the growing negative impact of poor trade policy on business confidence.

Business Conditions

New Orders for Durable Goods Rose Again in July, but Details Are Mixed

– August 26, 2019

Durable-goods orders rose for a second consecutive month, but the trend is essentially flat over the past year. Erratic, politically motivated policy remains the biggest risk to the economy.

Business Conditions

Single-Family-Housing Market Remains in a Flat Trend

– August 23, 2019

New-home sales fell in July, and there is little evidence to support an expectation of a significant, sustained acceleration in housing activity in the coming months and quarters.

Business Conditions

Risk, Uncertainty, and the Probability of Recession

– August 23, 2019

When businesses face uncertainty they tend to play it safe and hold back from making any big moves that entail risk but might reinvigorate the economy. The same can be said for consumers.

Business Conditions

Existing-Home Sales Continue Recovery in July

– August 21, 2019

Existing-home sales are recovering from a recent dip but are unlikely to move significantly higher in coming months and quarters.

Business Conditions

Erratic Policies Pummel Consumer Sentiment in Early August

– August 16, 2019

Consumer sentiment fell sharply in August in reaction to the latest trade and monetary policy decisions.

Business Conditions

Housing Activity Picked Up in July

– August 16, 2019

Single-family housing activity has stabilized, but there is little evidence to suggest significant gains in the near future; multifamily housing activity remains robust.