Strong but volatile growth. Food Services and Accommodation added a full 0.4%, exports added 1.5%, but Residential Investment subtracted 0.3%, while Federal Government knocked a full 1% off of the headline growth rate. Read More
Posts Categorized: Release Observations
Industrial Production – December’s growth at 0.3%
Growth back to levels seen in September and October. Novermber’s surge revised down only slightly. Durable Goods manufacturing flat in December. Read More
Consumer Prices: Gasoline creates a bounce to 1.5% in headline inflation.
Apart from motor fuel and home ownership, prices were little changed. Motor fuel prices rose in December, on an unadjusted basis – an unusual occurrence – and this gave rise to a relatively large adjusted rise. Unusual weather patterns in December may have had an effect. Read More
PPI – “Core” index now up 1.4% in year to November
Recent up-tick in core finished goods inflation continues. Read More
Retail Sales – Up 0.2% in December, with continued Vehicle sales volatility.
Food & Beverage Store sales up a significant 2.0% in December – even after seasonal adjustment. Last month’s report revised down heavily such that today’s estimate for December sales is now below the initial estimate of the November level. Read More
December Unemployment: Another drop in Participation brings U-3 down to 6.7%
Unemployment rate tumbles from 7.0% to 6.7% despite the proportion of people with a job having remained the same. Read More
Payroll Survey – Only 74.000 jobs added in December
Way below expectations. Only the Retail sector showed decent growth. November’s gain revised up by 38,000 though. Read More