The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI)for the U.S. decreased by 0.3 percent in March to 119.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in March. The LEI is now up 0.9 percent over the six-month period from October 2021 to April 2022.

“The US LEI declined in April largely due to weak consumer expectations and a drop in residential building permits,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “Overall, the US LEI was essentially flat in recent months which is in ...

Existing-home sales recorded a third straight month of declines, slipping slightly in April, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Month-over-month sales were split amongst the four major U.S. regions, with two areas posting gains and the other two experiencing waning in April. Year-over-year sales struggled, as each of the ...

Manufacturing activity in the region continued to expand overall this month, according to the firms responding to the May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey's current general activity index declined, while the indicators for new orders and shipments rose. The employment index decreased, and the price indexes remained elevated ...

In the week ending May 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 218,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 6,000 from 203,000 to 197,000. The 4-week moving average was 199,500, an increase of 8,250 from the previous week's revised average. ...

Building Permits
Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,819,000. This is 3.2 percent below the revised March rate of 1,879,000, but is 3.1 percent above the April 2021 rate of 1,765,000. Single family authorizations in April were at a rate of 1,110,000; this is ...

Mortgage applications decreased 11.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 13, 2022.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 11.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 11 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 10 ...

The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for March, adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,832.1 billion, up 1.8 percent (±0.2 percent) from February 2022 and was up 14.1 percent (±0.4 percent) from ...

In a sign that the housing market is now slowing, builder confidence took a steep drop in May as growing affordability challenges in the form of rapidly rising interest rates, double-digit price increases for material costs and ongoing home price appreciation are taking a toll on ...

In April, total industrial production increased 1.1 percent—the fourth consecutive month of gains of 0.8 percent or greater—and manufacturing output rose 0.8 percent. The index for utilities moved up 2.4 percent, and the index for mining advanced 1.6 percent. At 105.6 percent of its 2017 average, total industrial production in April was ...

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for April 2022, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $677.7 billion, an increase of 0.9 percent (±0.5 percent) from the previous month, and 8.2 percent (±0.7 percent) above April 2021. Total sales for the February ...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for March 2022. The sum total in March of all net foreign acquisitions of long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and banking flows was a net TIC inflow of $149.2 billion. Of this, net foreign private inflows were $172.4 billion, and net ...

After growing strongly last month, business activity declined in New York State, according to firms responding to the May 2022 Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index dropped thirty-six points to -11.6. New orders declined, and shipments fell at the fastest pace since early in the pandemic. Delivery ...

The outlook for the U.S. economy looks weaker now than it did three months ago, according to 34 forecasters surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The forecasters predict real GDP will grow at an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the current quarter, down 1.9 percentage points from the prediction of 4.2 percent in the last survey. ...

Consumer sentiment declined by 9.4% from April, reversing gains realized that month. These declines were broad based--for current economic conditions as well as consumer expectations, and visible across income, age, education, geography, and political affiliation--continuing the general downward trend in sentiment over the past year. ...

U.S. import prices were unchanged in April, after increasing 2.9 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Higher nonfuel prices in April offset lower fuel prices. Prices for U.S. exports advanced 0.6 percent in April following a 4.1-percent increase the previous ...

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.5 percent in April, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This rise followed advances of 1.6 percent in March and 1.1 percent in February. On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 11.0 percent for the 12 months ended ...

In the week ending May 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 200,000 to 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 192,750, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average. The ...

The Conference Board®−Burning Glass® Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Index increased in April and now stands at 179.7 (July 2018=100), up from 175.4 in March. The 2.5 percent increase between March and April follows a 1.8 percent increase between February and March. Overall, the Index is up 27.7 percent from a ...

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in April on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 1.2 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 8.3 percent before ...

All employees
Real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.1 percent from March to April, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This result stems from an increase of 0.3 percent in average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.3 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban ...

Mortgage applications increased 2.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 6, 2022.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 3 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 2 ...

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index was unchanged in April, remaining at 93.2 and the fourth consecutive month below the 48-year average of 98. Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months decreased one point to a net negative 50%, the lowest level recorded in the ...

March 2022 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading day differences but not for price changes, were $686.2 billion, up 1.7 percent (±0.5 percent) from the revised February level and were up 22.1 percent (±1.1 percent) from the revised March 2021 level. ...

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) decreased slightly in April to 120.18, down from 120.78 in March 2022 (an upward revision). “The Employment Trends Index saw little change in April, signaling continued steady job growth in the months ahead. Indeed, a relatively flat ETI indicates that the labor market is still expanding, ...

Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 9.7 percent during the first quarter. Revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 21.4 percent, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 6.1 percent. In March, consumer credit increased at an annual rate of ...

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 428,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, in manufacturing, and in transportation ...

In the week ending April 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 200,000, an increase of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 180,000 to 181,000. The 4-week moving average was 188,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average. ...

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 7.5 percent in the first quarter of 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output decreased 2.4 percent and hours worked increased 5.5 percent. This is the largest decline in quarterly productivity since the third quarter of 1947, when the measure decreased 11.7 ...

U.S.-based employers announced 24,286 cuts in April, a 14% increase from the 21,387 announced in March and up 6% from the 22,913 cuts announced in April 2021. It is the first time this year job cuts were higher than the corresponding month a year earlier, according to a report released Thursday from global outplacement and business and ...

Although overall economic activity edged down in the first quarter, household spending and business fixed investment remained strong. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has declined substantially. Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy ...

Economic activity in the services sector grew in April for the 23rd month in a row — with the Services PMI® registering 57.1 percent — say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P., CFPM, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Services Business Survey Committee: “In April, the Services PMI® registered 57.1 percent, 1.2 percentage points lower than March’s reading of 58.3 ...

The nation's international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $109.8 billion in March from $89.8 billion in February (revised), as imports increased more than exports. The nation's international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $109.8 billion in March from $89.8 billion in February (revised), as imports increased ...

Private sector employment increased by 247,000 jobs from March to April according to the April ADP® National Employment Report. The March total of jobs added was revised from 455,000 to 479,000.

“In April, the labor market recovery showed signs of slowing as the economy approaches full employment,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “While hiring demand remains strong, labor supply shortages caused job gains to soften for both goods producers and services ...

Mortgage applications increased 2.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 29, 2022.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 3 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 0.2 ...

The number of job openings was at a series high of 11.5 million on the last business day of March, although little changed over the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires, at 6.7 million, were also little changed while total separations edged up to 6.3 million. Within separations, quits edged up to a series high of ...

Summary
New orders for manufactured goods in March, up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $11.8 billion or 2.2 percent to $557.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. Shipments, also up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $12.6 billion or 2.3 percent ...

Hourly earnings growth accelerated for the eleventh consecutive month for workers of U.S. small businesses, according to the latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch. National small business job growth also remained strong, despite a slight moderation of 0.14 percent. The national jobs index for April was 101.14, an increase ...

Total Construction
Construction spending during March 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,730.5 billion, 0.1 percent (±0.7 percent)* above the revised February estimate of $1,728.6 billion. The March figure is 11.7 percent (±1.0 percent) above the March 2021 estimate of $1,548.6 billion. During the first three months ...

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in April, with the overall economy achieving a 23rd consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: ...

Consumers voiced much more positive views in April, rising 9.8% above March, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.

Most of the surge was concentrated in expectations, with gains of 21.6% in the year-ahead outlook for the economy and an 18.3% jump in personal financial expectations, said U-M economist Richard Curtin, director of the surveys. ...

The Chicago Business BarometerTM, produced with MNI, fell to 56.4 in April, reversing last month’s gain to 62.9. All main indicators decreased except for Prices Paid. with both Production and New Orders now at the lowest level since Summer 2020. Prices Paid ticked up a modest 0.4 points to 86.1 with over three-quarters of firms citing ...

Personal income increased $107.2 billion (0.5 percent) in March, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (tables 3 and 5). Disposable personal income (DPI) increased $89.7 billion (0.5 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $185.0 billion ...

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in March 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased 1.2 percent and benefit costs increased 1.8 percent from December ...

Growth in Tenth District manufacturing activity eased slightly, and expectations for future activity remained solid. The monthly index of raw materials prices inched upward in April and increased slightly compared to a year ago. Finished goods price indexes increased somewhat from a month ago but remained moderately higher than last ...

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2022 (table 1), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 6.9 percent.

The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency (refer to "Source Data for the Advance Estimate" on page 3). The "second" estimate for the first quarter, based on more complete data, will be ...

In the week ending April 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 180,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 184,000 to 185,000. The 4-week moving average was 179,750, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The ...

Pending home sales dropped in March, signifying five straight months that contract activity has declined, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Month-over-month, only the Northeast saw an increase in contract signings, while the three other major U.S. regions experienced declines in transactions. All four regions reported ...

Mortgage applications decreased 5.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 15, 2022.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 5.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 4 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 8 ...

Fifth District manufacturing activity continued its expansion in April, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite manufacturing index stood at 14 in April compared to 13 in March. Shipments increased to 17 from 9, while the volume of new orders moved down slightly to 6 from 10. ...

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® decreased slightly in April, after an increase in March. The Index now stands at 107.3 (1985=100), down from 107.6 in March. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—fell to 152.6 from 153.8 last month. However, the ...