Richmond Fed: May Manufacturing Index Declines
Economic activity among manufacturers in the central Atlantic region is slowing this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported Tuesday.
Structural Unemployment Would Affect Both Sides of Fed Mandate
Over the past few months, Fed Chairman Bernanke and other Fed officials have wondered how many of the millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession are morphing into structural unemployed. The discussion has policy implications.
Philly Fed Manufacturing Report Disappoints
Mid-Atlantic manufacturers said business conditions unexpectedly contracted in May, the first negative reading in 8 months, according to a release by the Philadelphia Fed.
Housing Less Dilapidated, but Still a Fixer-Upper
Home construction data support the idea that housing is no longer the dilapidated wreck it was in past years. But bottoming out shouldn't be confused with a robust recovery.
Stagnant Wages Limit Consumer Spending
Hourly pay and hours worked flat-lined, meaning real weekly pay was unchanged in April. Since peaking in October 2010, real pay has declined by 1.2%.
Housing’s Future: Renting and Downsizing
The first stage of this recovery will be led by rental properties. Meanwhile, most Americans still hope to own a home, but that home will be smaller, according to a new study.
New York Manufacturing Rebounds
New York-area manufacturing activity rebounded this month, and shipments jumped, according to the New York Fed's Empire State Manufacturing Survey released Tuesday.
Consumers Feel Better as Vacation Time Rolls Around
U.S. consumers are seeing fewer dark clouds on the economic horizon, and after the Great Recession created the "staycation" trend, more households are planning traditional getaways this summer.
Economists See Growth, Inflation Modest in 2012
Economists expect modest economic growth and slowly falling unemployment this year and next, according to a survey released Friday by the Federal Reserve bank of Philadelphia.
Consumer Sentiment Improves
U.S. consumers started this month feeling more upbeat about the economy, according to data released Friday.
Good and Bad in Credit-Card Binge
Was a gain in credit-card debt an upbeat, "glass-is-half-full" view of consumers? Were consumers confident enough about their finances to haul out the credit card again? Or are consumers feeling half-empty, needing credit cards to cover the higher cost...
Purchasing Managers See More Revenue, Hiring in 2012
Purchasing managers in both the factory and nonmanufacturing sectors expect revenues and jobs to increase for rest of 2012, according to surveys released Tuesday by the Institute for Supply Management.
