Topic: Business Conditions

Tariffs and Labor Remain Major Issues According to Purchasing Managers

– June 5, 2019

Reports from the Institute for Supply Management suggest continued economic expansion with elevated levels of concern over rising tariffs and shortages of labor.

Business Conditions

Auto Sales Rebound in May While Factory Orders Fell in April

– June 4, 2019

Auto sales rose in May, and weekly data suggest consumer spending is solid. However, factory orders were weak in April. Currently, there is little hard data to suggest a recession is imminent. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic.

Business Conditions

Consumer Attitudes Remain Buoyant

– May 31, 2019

Consumer attitudes were generally upbeat in May, supported by a strong labor market, but escalating trade wars and higher tariffs are having a significant negative impact.

Business Conditions

Initial Claims Remain Very Low; Minor Revisions to First-Quarter GDP

– May 30, 2019

Initial claims remain very low in May, but revised data still show a poor performance for private domestic demand in the first quarter. Though economic data are still somewhat mixed, some recent positive signs are emerging.

Business Conditions

Housing Outlook Remains Weak While Labor Market Stays Strong

– May 23, 2019

New-home sales fell in April, and home construction is unlikely to contribute significantly to economic growth, but the strong labor market continues to provide a solid foundation for continued expansion.

Business Conditions

Existing-Home Sales Fall Again in April

– May 21, 2019

Sales of existing homes fell in April and are trending flat or down in all four regions of the country.

Business Conditions

Multifamily Housing Permits and Starts Rise in April

– May 17, 2019

Housing starts and permits improved in April, but the outlooks for the major segments vary widely.

Business Conditions

Poor Results for Retail Sales and Manufacturing Output in April

– May 15, 2019

Retail sales and industrial production fell in April, continuing the multi-month run of mixed results for the economy. However, continued economic expansion remains the most likely path.

Business Conditions

Small-Business Confidence Rose in April

– May 14, 2019

Small-business confidence rose in April, and expectations are generally upbeat, but labor shortages are a major concern.

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Business Conditions

May Business Conditions Monthly

– May 9, 2019

AIER’s Leading Indicators index rose 13 points to 38 in April, up from 25 in March. March’s result was the lowest since June 2009. The Roughly Coincident Indicators index and the Lagging Indicators index both held steady, at 83 and 67, respectively (se …

Business Conditions

Vehicle Sales Fell in April, and Credit Card Debt Shrank in March

– May 8, 2019

Retail vehicle sales slowed in April but remain in the recent range of 16 to 18 million annually. Consumer credit rose despite a drop in credit card debt.

Business Conditions

Job Openings Rise in March

– May 7, 2019

Private job openings in the United States totaled 6.800 million in March. The labor market is showing renewed strength, supporting personal incomes, consumer confidence, and future consumer spending.