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unemployment: Economic Update in Plain English ~ 3/5/2012 - 03/05/12 05:42 AM
Last Week in the News
Pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 2% in January after a revised 1.9% decrease in December. It was the highest reading since April 2010. On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales are up 8%.
Orders for durable goods — items expected to last three or more years — fell $8.6 billion or 4% to $206.1 billion in January. Economists had anticipated a 0.7% decrease. This follows a 3.2% increase in December. Excluding volatile transportation-related goods, orders posted a monthly decrease of 3.2%.
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index — … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update In Plain English - 12/5/2011 - 12/05/11 10:27 AM
Last Week in the News
New home sales rose 1.3% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 307,000 units from a revised rate of 303,000 units in September. Compared to a year ago, new home sales were up 8.9%.
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index — on a non-seasonally adjusted basis — fell 0.6% in September after a 0.1% increase in August. On a year-over-year basis, prices fell 3.6% compared with September 2010.
The consumer confidence index rose to 56 in November from 40.9 in October, the largest gain since April 2003. The index was benchmarked … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - In Plain English 11-21-2011 - 11/21/11 11:01 AM
Last Week in the News
The index of leading economic indicators — designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months — rose a very strong 0.9% in October, following a revised 0.1% increase in September.
Retail sales rose 0.5% to $397.7 billion in October after a 1.1% increase in September. On a year-over-year basis, retail sales rose 7.2% in October.
Total business inventories were unchanged in September at $1.532 trillion, up 9% from a year ago. Total business sales increased 0.6% to $1.209 trillion in September, up 11.6% from a year ago. The total business inventories/sales … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-cap In Plain English ~ 06/07/2010 - 06/07/10 09:26 AM
Last Week in the News
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly composite index of manufacturing activity was 59.7 in May, after reaching 60.4 in April. A reading above 50 signals expansion. It was the 10th straight month of expansion.
Total construction spending rose 2.7% to $869 billion in April, following an upwardly revised 0.4% rise in March. April's gain was the biggest since August 2000.
The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 6% in April, after a revised 7.1% increase in March. On a year-over-year … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-cap In Plain English ~ 04/12/2010 - 04/12/10 07:03 AM
Last Week in the News
The Institute for Supply Management reported the monthly index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 55.4 in March from 53 in February. A reading above 50 signals expansion. Economists had anticipated a reading of 53.3. The reading was the highest since May 2006.
The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 8.2% in February after a revised 7.8% decrease in January. The February reading was the largest gain since October 2001.
According to the Federal Reserve, consumer credit debt fell in February by $11.5 billion, … (2 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-cap In Plain English ~ 04/05/2010 - 04/05/10 08:06 AM
Last Week in the News
The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending rose $34.7 billion or 0.3% in February, matching what economists had anticipated. Personal income increased $1.2 billion or less than 0.1%.
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.3% in January. It was the eighth consecutive monthly gain and follows a 0.3% increase in December.
The consumer confidence index rose to 52.5 in March from a slightly revised 46.4 in February. Economists had anticipated a reading of 50. The index was benchmarked at 100 in 1985, a year chosen because it was neither a … (4 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-cap In Plain English ~ 03/8/2010 - 03/08/10 11:09 AM
Last Week in the News
Consumer spending rose 0.5% to $52.4 billion in January, slightly more than economists had anticipated. Personal income increased 0.1% to $11.4 billion.
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly index of manufacturing activity was 56.5 in February after reaching 58.4 in January. Nevertheless, it was the seventh straight month of expansion. A reading above 50 signals expansion.
The Commerce Department reported that total construction spending fell 0.6% in January after falling 1.2% in December. Economists had expected a decrease of 0.7%.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications for … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-cap In Plain English ~ 02/22/2010 - 02/22/10 08:57 AM
Last Week in the News
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index rose two points in February to 17. It was the first gain in five months. Economists had anticipated a dip to 14. An index reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market.
The combined construction of new single-family homes and apartments in January rose 2.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 591,000 units. However, applications for new building permits, seen as an indicator of future activity, fell 4.9% to 621,000 units.
Industrial production at the nation’s factories, mines and utilities increased 0.9% in … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 02/08/10 - 02/09/10 10:41 PM
Last Week in the News
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly index of manufacturing activity rose to 58.4 in January after reaching 54.9 in December. It was the sixth straight month of expansion and the fastest pace of growth since August 2004. A reading above 50 signals expansion.
The Commerce Department reported that total construction spending fell 1.2% in December after a downwardly revised 1.2% decline in November. Economists had expected a decrease of 0.5%.
The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 1% … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 02/01/10 - 02/01/10 10:06 AM
Last Week in the News
The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. It was the second consecutive quarter of growth and the fastest pace since the third quarter of 2003.
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in November. It was the sixth consecutive monthly gain and follows a 0.4% increase in October. On a year-over-year basis, the gauge was down 5.3% from November 2008.
The consumer … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 01/25/10 - 01/26/10 12:29 AM
Last Week in the News
The index of leading economic indicators — designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months — rose a better-than-expected 1.1% in December after a revised 1% gain in November. It was the ninth straight monthly increase.
The Commerce Department reported that the combined construction of new single-family homes and apartments in December fell 4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 557,000 units. However, applications for new building permits, seen as an indicator of future activity, jumped 10.9% to 653,000 units, the highest level since October 2008.
The Mortgage Bankers … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 01/18/10 - 01/18/10 10:13 AM
Last Week in the News
The Commerce Department reported the trade deficit grew 9.7% to $36.4 billion in November from a revised $33.2 billion in October. Economists had expected the trade deficit to widen to $34.5 billion. Exports increased 0.9%, the seventh consecutive monthly gain. The growth in U.S. exports is an indication the global economy is beginning to rebound.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications for the week ending January 8 rose 14% to 528.1. Purchase volume increased 0.8% to 213.7. Refinancing applications jumped 21.8% to 2,407.2.
Retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.3% in … (3 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 01/04/10 - 01/04/10 11:59 PM
Last Week in the News
U.S. retail sales rose 3.6% from November 1 through December 24, according to MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, which estimates all forms of payment including cash. Online sales jumped 18%, consumer electronics increased 5.9% and jewelry sales rose 5.6%. Economists had anticipated overall retail sales to remain flat.
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in October. It was the fifth consecutive monthly gain and follows a 0.2% increase in September. The index is now up 3.4% from its bottom in May. On a year-over-year basis, the gauge was down 7.3% … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 12/14/09 - 12/14/09 10:27 PM
Last Week in the News
Retail sales increased 1.3% in November, following a downwardly revised 1.1% increase in October. Excluding automobiles, retail sales rose 1.2%, the largest gain since January. Sales of building materials increased 1.5%, the biggest gain since April 2008.
According to the Federal Reserve, consumer credit debt fell in October by $3.51 billion, an annual rate of 1.7%. Economists had forecast that consumer debt would drop $9.3 billion. That’s a sign the financial crisis is easing as more households cautiously increase their purchasing activity.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications for the … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 11/30/09 - 11/30/09 10:48 AM
Last Week in the News
Existing home sales rose 10.1% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million units from 5.54 million units in September. The increase was largely due to the tax incentive for first-time homebuyers. The inventory of unsold homes on the market fell 3.7% to 3.57 million, a 7-month supply at the current sales pace, and the lowest level since February 2007.
The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the third quarter of … (2 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 11/16/09 - 11/18/09 09:23 AM
Last Week in the News
According to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs index, retail sales fell 0.1% in the week ending November 7. On a year-over-year basis, retailers saw sales increase 2.9%, the best showing since August 2008.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 12,000 to 502,000 in the week ending November 7. It was the lowest level since January and the figure was lower than the 510,000 that economists had forecast. Continuing claims for the week ending October 31 fell by 139,000 to 5.63 million.
The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for November fell to 66 from 70.6 in October. … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 11/02/2009 - 11/02/09 10:15 AM
Last Week in the News
The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009. The rebound ended four consecutive quarters of contracting economic activity, the longest period of decline since quarterly records began in 1947.
The Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index fell to 47.7 in October from a revised 53.4 in September. Economists had expected a reading of 53.5. The index was benchmarked at 100 in 1985, a year chosen because it was … (1 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 10/26/2009 - 10/26/09 10:55 AM
Last Week in the News
Existing home sales rose 9.4% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million units from 5.1 million units in August. The increase was largely due to the tax incentive for first-time homebuyers.
According to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs index, retail sales rose 0.2% in the week ending October 17. On a year-over-year basis, retailers saw sales increase by 2.8%, the best showing in a year.
The producer price index, which tracks wholesale prices, rose 0.6% in September, following a 1.7% increase in August. For the year, wholesale prices are down 4.8%.
The Commerce Department … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 10/19/2009 - 10/19/09 10:58 AM
Last Week in the News
Retail sales decreased 1.5% in September, following a revised 2.2% increase in August. However, excluding automobiles, retail sales rose 0.5%, more than the 0.2% increase economists had expected. Car sales fell 10.4% from their August high, as the ‘cash for clunkers’ program expired.
The Commerce Department reported that total business inventory decreased 1.5% in August, following a 1.1% drop in July. It was the 12th straight monthly decline as retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers sought to cut inventory. Total business sales rose 1% in August, pulling the stock-to-sales ratio down to 1.33 months to exhaust inventories at … (0 comments)
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unemployment: Economic Update - Re-Cap in Plain English ~ 10/12/2009 - 10/12/09 09:30 AM
Last Week in the News
The U.S. non-manufacturing sector grew for the first time since August 2008. The Institute for Supply Management reported the monthly index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 50.9 in September from 48.4 in August. A reading above 50 signals expansion. Big gains were made in new orders, up more than four points to 54.2; backlog of orders, up 10.5 points to 51.5; and productivity, up nearly four points to 55.1.
According to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs index, retail sales rose 0.3% in the week ending October 3. On a year-over-year basis, retailers saw sales increase by 1%, the … (4 comments)
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Julie Chroust, NMLS# 249458, Direct Lender & Mortgage Banker
Walnut Creek,
CA
More about me…
Julie Chroust, Prospect Mortgage, Walnut Creek, CA
Address: 1910 Olympic Blvd,, Suite 120, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596
Office Phone: (925) 516-5809
Cell Phone: (925) 381-1481
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