Weekly Economic Digest

LOW INFLATION AND RISING PRODUCTION POINT TO CONTINUED EXPANSION, BUT WEAK HOUSING MARKET COULD BE A DRAG ON NASCENT RECOVERY

Jun 21 2010

(See the BLUE BOX for the latest Key Economic Statistics.)

Inflation Remains in Check Amidst Falling Energy Prices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Housing Starts Up From Historic Lows, But Still Below Pre-Boom Averages(CPI-U), a key measure of inflation, fell 0.2 percent in May, led by a 2.9 percent drop in energy prices (read more here).

Industrial Output Rises While Excess Capacity Shrinks. The Federal Reserve released preliminary estimates showing that industrial production rose 1.2 percent in May after rising 0.7 percent in April.  Manufacturing production rose 0.9 percent over the month; since May 2009, manufacturing output has grown 7.9 percent (read more here).

Single-Family Housing Starts Decline After Homebuyers’ Credit Expires. New single-family housing starts fell 17.2 percent in May, following a 5.6 percent increase in April (read more here). 

Bookmark and Share

Related Files:

  • Click for Printer-Friendly Version of the Weekly Economic Digest WED 06-21-10.pdf (394.7 KBs)