Today's Economy U.S. Consumer Spending Looking Better in Q3 July real spending raised our tracking estimate of Q3 GDP to 3.2%. Final Thoughts Ahead of August Employment There are few guarantees, but a disappointing first print of August employment is one. Harvey Will Lead to a Spike in U.S. Initial Claims New filings could jump well above 300,000 in the next couple of weeks. Poland Cruises Through the Second Quarter Political isolation in Europe could derail the country’s economic outlook. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary Examining China's Belt and Road Initiative The BRI is a throwback to the Chinese proverb "if you want to grow rich, first build a road." How Natural Disasters Affect U.S. GDP Harvey's economic cost will not be accurately captured in the national statistics. Population Growth and Inflation A new study suggests weak population growth can be a significant headwind for inflation. Spending Growth in U.S. Modest in 2016 The Consumer Expenditure Survey also paints a picture of strong household income growth.. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
Japan Housing Starts Jul. 2017: -2.3% Momentum in Japan's housing market has wavered in 2017. Germany Lending by Banks Jul. 2017: 4.1% German bank lending to the private sector surged in July. Germany Retail Sales Jul. 2017: -1.2% German retail sales retreated at the start of the third quarter, down 1.2% m/m from June, when they rose by 1.3%. Spain Retail Sales Jul. 2017: -0.4% Spain's retail trade disappointed in July and came in well below our expectations. Thailand Private Consumption Jul. 2017: 2.3% Thailand’s consumption is showing no signs of improvement. Thailand Foreign Trade Jul. 2017: US$1.3 bil Thailand’s trade surplus narrowed to US$1.3 billion in July from US$2.9 billion in June. Germany Unemployment Aug. 2017: 5.7% Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 5.7% in August, after it fell to this record low in May. Italy Unemployment Jul. 2017: 11.3% Italy's unemployment rate rose to 11.3% in July from 11.1% (before revision) in the previous month. the jobless rate has been faltering in the last few months after improving at the start of the year thanks to the expanding economy. Euro Zone Preliminary Consumer Price Index Aug. 2017: 1.5% The euro zone's annual harmonized inflation strengthened to 1.5% in August from 1.3% a month earlier, according to the preliminary estimates. Euro Zone Unemployment Jul. 2017: 9.1% The euro zone’s unemployment rate remained steady at 9.1% in July, its lowest reading since February 2009. United States Challenger Report Aug. 2017: 33,825 The Challenger report provides further confirmation of a healthy labor market. India GDP 2017Q2: 5.7% It's difficult to get a good grasp of India's GDP, but the economy has undoubtedly entered a cyclical slowdown after demonetisation was introduced late last year. Brazil Employment Situation Jul. 2017: 12.8% Unemployment continued to decline in July as the economy advanced gradually. Chile Employment Jul. 2017: 6.9% The national unemployment rate averaged 6.9% in the May-July rolling quarter, down from 7.1% a year earlier. Canada GDP 2017Q2: 4.5% Full speed ahead! Canadian GDP growth accelerated in the second quarter to 4.5% at an annualized rate, besting the first quarter's already-impressive 3.7% pace. Canada Industry Output Jun. 2017: 0.3% Canadian GDP growth slowed to a more sustainable pace in June after a breakneck month in May. United States Jobless Claims August 26: 236,000 The labor market is in good health, and layoffs remain low. United States Personal Income Jul. 2017: 0.4% After no change in June, nominal personal income bounced back with a 0.4% gain in July, exceeding our forecast for a 0.3% increase. United States PCE Deflator Jul. 2017: 0.1% U.S. inflation remains subdued, but we don’t believe it will deter the Federal Reserve from announcing plans to begin reducing its balance sheet in September. United States Personal Spending Jul. 2017: 0.2% Consumer spending growth disappointed in July. United States Pending Home Sales Jul. 2017: 109.1 The pending home sales index dropped 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis in July, giving back some of June’s gains and settling close to its April level. United States St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index August 25: -1.48 Financial stress conditions held steady last week, ending a three-week run of rising stress. United States Natural Gas Storage Report August 25: 30 bil cubic feet The build in natural gas inventories fell just shy of analyst expectations, which put slight upward pressure on gas prices. South Korea Foreign Trade Aug. 2017: Thailand Industrial Production Jul. 2017: Colombia Monetary Policy Aug. 2017: 5.25% Colombia’s central bank board cut the reference interest rate by another 25 basis points at today’s policy meeting. Argentina Industrial Production - Advance Jul. 2017: 5.9% According to Argentina’s statistics office, industrial output expanded 5.9% y/y in July (NSA) after advancing 6.6% in June. South Korea Consumer Price Index Aug. 2017: South Korea GDP 2017Q2: » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS |