CFNAI Fell in May to -0.51 Led by declines in production related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index/CFNAI fell in May to -0.51 from +0.05 in April. All four broad categories which comprise the index decreased in April and all four made negative contributions to the index. The index’s three month moving average (CFNAI-MA3), decreased [...]
US Raw Steel Production Retreated Last Week US raw steel production retreated 1.2 percent last week as mills operated at an ACUR of 73.9 percent. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 72.1 percent. Thus far this year mills have produced approx. 33,000,000 tons at an ACUR of 71.6 percent [...]
The manufacturing sector’s woes are deepening amid an economic slowdown in China and other emerging markets Manufacturing output-the biggest component of the index, measuring the production of everything from paper clips to bulldozers-declined 0.1% in September and 0.4% the prior month. The figures suggest that the manufacturing sector’s woes are deepening amid an economic slowdown [...]
Real 2014 Fourth Quarter GDP increased 2.2% On Friday the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) issued its third and final estimate of 2014 fourth quarter GDP: Real Gross Domestic Product-the value of the production of goods and services in the United States, adjusted for price changes-increased at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the [...]
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) Released Friday, the LEI increased 0.5 percent in December following a 0.4 percent November increase and a 0.6 percent increase in October. December’s gain in the LEI was driven by a majority of its components, suggesting the short term outlook is getting brighter and the economy continues to [...]
Estimated Third Quarter GDP Increased 3.9% According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real gross domestic product-the value of the production of goods and services in the United States, adjusted for price changes, increased at an annual rate of 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2014, according to the “second” estimate. In the second [...]
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI), as of Monday (3/24) Led by improvements in production related indicators, the CFNAI increased to +0.14 in February from -0.45 in January. The index’s three month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) decreased to -0.18 in February from +0.02 in January marking its first reading below zero in six months. February’s CFNAI-MA3 [...]
Conference Board Leading Economic Index The LEI for the US increased 0.3 percent in January to 99.5 (2004 = 100) following no change in December and a 0.9 percent increase in November. The US Leading Economic Index continues to fluctuate on a monthly basis, but the six month average growth rate has been relatively stable [...]
Monday 9/23/13:The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) It came in with an increase to +0.14 in August from -0.43 in July. Nice news. The index’s 3 month moving average (cfnai-ma3) increased to -0.18 in august from -0.24 in July, marking its sixth consecutive reading below zero. Augusts’ CFNAI-MA3 suggests economic activity was below its [...]
Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) increased in June from May. The index’s three month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) increased to -.026 in june from -0.37 in May, marking its fourth consecutive reading below zero. June’s CFNAI-MA3 suggests growth in national economic activity was below its historical trend. The [...]