Blog Profile / CalculatedRisk
| URL : | http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Business & Finance / Economics | |
| Posts on Regator: | 11309 | |
| Posts / Week: | 43.7 | |
| Archived Since: | June 7, 2008 | |
Blog Post Archive
New Home Sales at 454,000 SAAR in April
The Census Bureau reports New Home Sales in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 454 thousand. This was up from 444 thousand SAAR in March (March sales were revised up from 417 thousand).
January sales were revised up from 445 thousand to 458 thousand, and February sales were revised up from 411 thousand to 429 thousand. Show More Summary
Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims decline to 340,000
The DOL reports:
In the week ending May 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 340,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 363,000. The 4-week moving average was 339,500, a decrease...Show More Summary
Thursday: New Home Sales, Weekly Unemployment Claims
Most of the coverage of the FOMC minutes today focused on this sentence: "A number of participants expressed willingness to adjust the flow of purchases downward as early as the June meeting if the economic information received by that...Show More Summary
Existing Home Sales: A few comments
The most important number in the existing home sales report was inventory, and the NAR reported that inventory increased 11.9% in April from March, and is only down 13.6% from April 2012. This fits with the weekly data I've been posting.
This...Show More Summary
FOMC Minutes: Exit Strategy Discussion
Note: I'll have more on existing home sales and Bernanke's testimony later today. From the Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, April 30-May 1, 2013. A few excerpts on the exit strategy: After the policy vote, participants...Show More Summary
AIA: Architecture Billings Index indicates decreased demand for design services in April
Note: This index is a leading indicator primarily for new Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment.
From AIA: Architecture Billings Index Reverts into Negative Territory for First Time in Nine Months
After indicating increasing demand for design services for the better part of a year, the Architecture Billings Index has reversed course in April. Show More Summary
Existing Home Sales in April: 4.97 million SAAR, 5.2 months of supply
NOTE: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testimony Testimony by Chairman Bernanke on the economic outlook
The NAR reports: April Existing-Home Sales Up but Constrained
Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that...Show More Summary
LPS: Mortgage Delinquency Rate falls below 6.5% in April, Lowest since July 2008
According to the First Look report for April to be released today by Lender Processing Services (LPS), the percent of loans delinquent decreased in April compared to March, and declined about 10% year-over-year. Also the percent of loans...Show More Summary
Wednesday: Existing Home Sales, Bernanke Testimony and more
From Tim Duy at Economist'sView: Fed Watch: And Then There is Bernanke. Duy discusses the various Fed speeches this week and concludes: So many voices, so many views. Looking through the noise, I think there is strong interest in tapering...Show More Summary
Fed's Dudley: "Lessons at the Zero Bound: The Japanese and U.S. Experience"
As president of the NY Fed, William Dudley is a key member of the FOMC. He clearly supports QE... From NY Fed President William Dudley: Lessons at the Zero Bound: The Japanese and U.S. Experience. A few excerpts: In terms of our asset...Show More Summary
ATA Trucking Index decreases slightly in April
This is a minor indicator that I follow.
From ATA: ATA Truck Tonnage Index Fell 0.2% in April
The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.2% in April after rising 0.9% in March. Show More Summary
Philly Fed: State Coincident Indexes increased in 45 States in April
From the Philly Fed:
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has released the coincident indexes for the 50 states for April 2013. In the past month, the indexes increased in 45 states, decreased in four states, and remained stable in one (Minnesota), for a one-month diffusion index of 82. Show More Summary
Zillow: House Prices up over 5% year-over-year in March, Case-Shiller expected to show 9.8% YoY increase
From Zillow: Annual U.S. Home Value Appreciation Exceeds 5 Percent for Sixth Straight Month in April U.S. home values continued to climb in April, increasing 0.5 percent from March to $158,300, according to the April Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. Show More Summary
Discussion on Inequality and Economic Growth
From 6:30 to 8:00 PM ET, the will be a live stream of professors Tony Atkinson and Paul Krugman discussing inequality and growth at CUNY. The dialogue will be moderated by Chrystia Freeland. As we endure the slow, uneven recovery from...Show More Summary
Existing Home Inventory is up 17.7% year-to-date on May 20th
Weekly Update: One of key questions for 2013 is Will Housing inventory bottom this year?. Since this is a very important question, I'm tracking inventory weekly in 2013.
There is a clear seasonal pattern for inventory, with the low point...Show More Summary
Lumber Prices decline Sharply over last month
Just over a month ago I mentioned that lumber prices were nearing the housing bubble highs. Since then prices have declined sharply, with prices off about 20% from the recent highs.
Some of the decline could be related to additionalShow More Summary
DOT: Vehicle Miles Driven decreased 1.5% in March
The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported:
Travel on all roads and streets changed by -1.5% (-3.7 billion vehicle miles) for March 2013 as compared with March 2012. Travel for the month is estimated to be 248.8 billion vehicleShow More Summary
Chicago Fed: "Economic Activity Slower in April"
The Chicago Fed released the national activity index (a composite index of other indicators): Economic Activity Slower in April
Led by declines in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) decreased to –0.53 in April from –0.23 in March. Show More Summary
Sunday Night Futures
Monday: • At 8:30 AM ET, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for April will be released. This is a composite index of other data. Weekend: • Schedule for Week of May 19th The Asian markets are green tonight with the Nikkei up 1.0%,...Show More Summary
Report: Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup "nearly halt foreclosure sales"
From Scott Reckard at the LA Times: 3 big banks nearly halt foreclosure sales after U.S. tweaks orders Sales of homes in foreclosure by Wells Fargo & Co., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. ground nearly to a halt after regulators...Show More Summary