| Today's Economy
Economic Roundup: U.S. Housing Stumbles on Starts dropped sharply in December, but lower mortgage rates will eventually help, some. Today’s 4% Jobless Rate Overstates Strength of Household-Sector Fundamentals The low labor participation rate signals the possibility more payrolls without wage-inspired inflation. Fed Funds Market Ain't What It Used to Be The central bank may eventually look for a new policy rate. U.S. Housing Market Develops Some Cracks Lower mortgage rates will help, but not right away. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
U.S. Regional Outlook: Crises Averted, but Risks Remain A tight labor market, dysfunction in Washington DC, and trade wars could slow the economy. U.S. Consumer Outlook: Spending Growth Apparently Slowing Nominal income is the only important driver not weakening. U.S. Weekly Highlights and Preview, February 22, 2019 Our high-frequency GDP model suggests that fourth quarter growth is tracking 1.7% at an annualized rate. Europe Weekly Highlights and Preview, 22 February, 2019 Euro zone joblessness likely managed to hold steady at 7.9%, its lowest in more than 10 years. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
United States
New Residential Construction (C20)
Dec. 2018: 1.078 mil
New residential construction took a tumble in December. Mexico
Retail & Wholesale Sales
Dec. 2018: -1.3%%
Retail sales weakened at the end of the year as consumers remained uncertain and the economy decelerated significantly. United States
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller® Home Price Indexes
Dec. 2018: 4.2%
Existing-home price appreciation slowed in the three months to December compared with the same period in November, reinforcing the decelerating trend that has been ongoing since spring 2018. United States
FHFA Purchase-Only House Price Index
Dec. 2018: 5.6%
The Federal Housing Finance Agency Purchase-Only House Price Index rose 5.6% in December on a year-ago basis, which is slightly slower than the previous month’s increase. United States
Moody’s Analytics Policy Uncertainty Index
February 22: 130.5
The four-week moving average in our U.S. policy uncertainty index came in at 130.5 in the week ended February 22, down slightly from 131.3. United States
Conference Board Consumer Confidence
Feb. 2019: 131.4
Consumer confidence rebounded in February, rising to 131.4, a three-month high, gaining 9.7 points over the January report on top of a 1.5-point upward revision. United States
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Survey
Feb. 2019: 16
Manufacturing activity in the Richmond Federal Reserve District improved in February. » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 
