Topic: Business Conditions

cashregister

Drop in February Retail Sales Suggests Weak First Quarter

– April 1, 2019

Retail sales fell again in February, the second decline in the last three months. A string of mixed economic reports suggests caution is warranted.

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SOLD

Consumer Sentiment and New-Home Sales Post Gains

– March 29, 2019

Consumer sentiment and new-home sales are showing gains, but the broad economic picture remains mixed. Continued expansion remains the most likely path, but caution is warranted.

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uncertainty

Slowing Growth Raises Questions

– March 28, 2019

Real gross domestic product grew at a 2.2 percent annualized rate in the fourth quarter, with real private domestic demand rising 2.6 percent. High levels of uncertainty surrounding economic policy and global economic conditions combined with mixed economic data raise doubts about the current expansion.

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homebuilding

Consumer Confidence and Home Construction Drop

– March 26, 2019

Consumer confidence fell in March but remains at a level consistent with economic expansion. Housing activity continues to weaken with no evidence to suggest significant gains in the near future.

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cautionsign

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index Posts Another Weak Month

– March 25, 2019

The Chicago Fed’s National Activity Index posted its third negative result in a row, but the index remains above levels historically associated with either recession or significant price increases.

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manufacturing

Philadelphia-Area Manufacturing Survey Remains Positive

– March 21, 2019

The Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing survey was generally favorable in March with respondents were more upbeat about current conditions but somewhat less optimistic about the future. 

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happyshoppers

Consumer Sentiment and Job Openings Show Improvement

– March 15, 2019

Consumer sentiment improved in early March, maintaining a generally high level by historical comparison. The tight labor market remains one of the key supports for consumer sentiment.

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houseforsale

Single-Family Home Sales Fell in January

– March 14, 2019

New single-family home sales fell 6.9 percent in January. Slowing sales and rising inventory are weighing on new construction, suggesting new-home construction is unlikely to contribute significantly to economic growth in coming quarters.

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Listview_cautionsign

March Business Conditions Monthly

– March 14, 2019

AIER’s Business Cycle Conditions Leading Indicators index held steady at 42 in February while the Roughly Coincident Indicators index and the Lagging Indicators index were also unchanged, at 92 and 75, respectively (see chart). Despite having the Leadi …

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cashregister

Retail Sales Growth Picked Up in January After a Sharp Fall in December

– March 11, 2019

Retail sales growth bounced back in January, but economic data continue to be mixed, suggesting a heightened degree of caution for the economic outlook.  

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no-help-wanted

February Jobs Report Raises Questions

– March 8, 2019

U.S. nonfarm payrolls added just 20,000 jobs in February, the smallest monthly gain since September 2017. Combined with other recent disappointing economic data, the report raises concerns about the durability of the economic expansion.

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trucking

The Nonmanufacturing Sector Gained Momentum in February on Strength in Activity and New Orders

– March 5, 2019

The ISM’s nonmanufacturing index rose to 59.7 in February. The increase was led by strong performances by the activity index and the new orders index. The report suggests continued expansion for the economy last month.

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