Pending Home Sales Drop 4% In November

Dec 28, 2022
Brian Turner
Pending home sales declined in November on rising mortgage rates and elevated home prices kept first-time home buyers away.

International trade deficit declined to the smallest since December 2020 after consumer spending shifted away from goods to services.

Wholesale inventories growth in November accelerated and retail inventories also increased in the month. Wholesale inventories rose for the 28th month in a row.

PCE Inflation Slows In November

Dec 23, 2022
Brian Turner
The PCE Price Index, which understates the headline inflation, rose at the slowest pace since October 2021 and slower increases in food and energy prices.

The upward revision reflected increases in consumer spending, fixed investments, exports and government spending partly offset by decreases in imports, residential fixed investments and inventory investments.

Existing home sales declined for the 10th month in a row and median home price rose at a slower pace.

Housing starts and permits declined in November but completions rose as supply chain pressures eased, lumber price fell and faced higher mortgage rates.



November U.S. Retail Sales Declined

Dec 15, 2022
Brian Turner
Retail and food services sales adjusted for seasonal and calendar factors but unadjusted for prices on a monthly basis decline in November after a strong increase in October.

Industrial production declined in November after weakness in manufacturing and mining overwhelmed the increase in utility output.

Weekly new jobless claims dropped to a 2-month low and the insured unemployment rate was 1.2%, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.

The Federal Reserve lifted its lending rate by 50 basis points and held out for more rate hikes in future in its quest to bring down inflation to 2.0%.

Consumer inflation slowed in November but the rising cost of shelter overwhelmed the decline in energy prices. Core inflation excluding food and energy also eased.

The U.S. government said budget expenses and deficit soared to record highs for the month on higher medicate and education costs.

Wholesale Prices Rise 0.3% In November

Dec 9, 2022
Brian Turner
The Wholesale Price Index increase was driven by higher prices for services and the monthly increase in prices matched the rates in October and September.



U.S. International trade deficit expanded after imports rose faster than exports in October.