| Today's Economy
Economic Roundup: Housing Starts Best Expectations Starts increased 3.3% over the month to 1.297 million annualized units in November. U.S. Housing Starts Beat Expectations in November but Not for 2017 Starts will still fail to live up to our expectations. Misreading the U.S. Yield Curve A flattening in the curve is consistent with a late-cycle expansion. Peru’s President on the Ropes Impeachment proceedings cloud the economic outlook. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
U.S. Employment Outlook: The Expansion's Big Tent Workers with higher than average incidence of unemployment face improved prospects in 2018. U.S. Chartbook: Fed Tightens, Retail Brightens, Deficit Frightens Surprisingly strong holiday shopping is met with a Fed rate hike and deteriorating federal budget. U.S. Macro Outlook: A Plan That Doesn't Get It Done The tax cuts will add little to the economy in the long run, but will add significantly to deficits and debt load. U.S. Family Incomes, and Inequality, Rise Slow but steady economic growth and improving labor markets contributed to higher family incomes. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
United States
Current Account
2017Q3: -$100.6 bil
The U.S. current account deficit narrowed substantially in the third quarter. United States
New Residential Construction (C20)
Nov. 2017: 1.297 mil
Residential construction continued to rise in November after rebounding in October. Russian Federation
Unemployment
Nov. 2017: 5.1%
Russian Federation
Retail Sales
Nov. 2017: 2.7%
Russian retail sales continued to rise at a strong pace in November. United States
State and Local Government Tax Revenue
2017Q3: 2.4%
State tax collections grew by a moderately strong 2.4% in the third quarter. United States
Moody’s Analytics Policy Uncertainty Index
December 15: 90.9
Policy uncertainty remains elevated, a feature of this expansion. New Zealand
Foreign Trade
Nov. 2017:
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