| Today's Economy
Latest Slide by Industrial Metals Price Index Favors Lower Treasury Bond Yields Global industrial activity has slowed and inflation risks have declined. Final Thoughts Ahead of U.S. April Employment We look for a 213,000 net gain in employment and a dip in the unemployment rate to 3.7%. Inventories Point Toward Upward Revision to U.S. Q1 GDP Q1 GDP is now tracking 3.4% at an annualized rate. Less Shock at the Pump for U.S. Consumers Gasoline price thresholds that were psychologically important in the past have less impact on sentiment now. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
Mexico’s Economy in the Political Transition A first quarter contraction confirms the usual pattern under a new government. U.S. Credit Outlook: Lending Conditions Shift Performance remains robust, and the delinquency rate hovers near its historical low. Trade Patterns Show Shifting Global Trends Improved U.S. export demand in the March quarter was a product of stronger European demand. U.S. Chartbook: Shaking it Off Growth could have been even better but the partial federal government shutdown was a weight. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
Germany
Retail Sales
Mar. 2019: -0.2%
German retail sales declined in March, after rising in the previous two months. Hong Kong
GDP
2019Q1: 1.2%
According to advanced estimates, Hong Kong's economy grew 1.2% q/q in the March quarter, up from a 0.3% dip in the prior quarter. United States
Challenger Report
Apr. 2019: 40,023
Job cuts decreased to 40,023 in April, down 34% from March but 11% higher relative to a year earlier. Peru
Consumer Price Index
Apr. 2019: 2.6%
Inflation in the Lima metropolitan area rose again in April even as the broader economy struggled to gain momentum. United Kingdom
Monetary Policy and Minutes
May. 2019: 0.75%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted to leave interest rates unchanged at 0.75% in May. United States
Jobless Claims
April 27: 230,000
Jobless claims are no longer falling sharply, but they remain quite low, a sign that the labor market is still healthy. United States
Productivity and Costs
2019Q1: 3.6%
U.S. productivity is showing some sign of life, but we don’t want to read too much into a single quarter, since productivity is very volatile. United States
ISM - NY Report
Apr. 2019: 77.3
Purchasing managers in New York City are practically giddy about both the present and the future, according to the April ISM-New York Report on Business. United States
Factory Orders (M3)
Mar. 2019: 1.9%
Factory orders rose 1.9% in March, rebounding after two consecutive monthly losses. United States
St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index
April 26: -1.34
The St. United States
Natural Gas Storage Report
April 26: 123 bil cubic feet
The increase in natural gas inventories was greater than analysts predicted, which will put downward pressure on prices. Brazil
Foreign Trade
Apr. 2019: $6.06 billion
Brazil’s trade surplus rose further to $6.06 billion in April, an increase of $1.07 billion from March’s balance of $4.99 billion. » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 