Secondary Sources: Manufacturing, Unemployment, Economic Confidence
A roundup of economic news from around the Web.
Vital Signs: Rising Demand From Factories
New orders for manufactured goods climbed a seasonally adjusted 1.1% from November, marking the second consecutive monthly rise.
Strong Factory Hiring? Don’t Bet On It
"More factory workers!" It's one campaign slogan Democrats and Republicans agree on. There's just one problem. U.S. factory jobs have been on a structural downtrend, and government policy can't change that.
Vital Signs: Strength in U.S. Manufacturing
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose one point to a seasonally adjusted 54.1 from December, marking the 30th consecutive month of increased factory activity.
World-Wide Factory Activity, by Country
The manufacturing sectors in most of the world improved last month, though many regions, especially in Europe, remained in contractionary territory.
Dallas Area Manufacturing Expands
Business conditions in Texas-area manufacturing expanded at a solid pace this month, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Warm Weather Probably Making Data Look Better Than Reality
Seasonal adjustments to economic data account for weather patterns. When the weather doesn't follow normal trends, though, the adjusted data can misrepresent true activity.
Vital Signs: Early Signals of Manufacturing Strength
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey’s business conditions index, based on a poll of manufacturing executives, rose five points to 13.5 this month, indicating expansion.
U.S. Factories Could Suffer From Dollar’s Appeal
Being a safe haven can be a drag. A strong dollar may enhance the U.S.'s sense of pride. But it will be a headwind for U.S. manufacturing.
World-Wide Factory Activity, by Country
Global manufacturing was expanding in much of the world last month, as growth in North America and Asia offset contraction in Europe, according to an index published by J.P. Morgan.
Iowa Economy Lags Midwest Ahead of Caucuses
Manufacturing and service sector activity in Iowa declined during November while consumer spending indicators strengthened, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said Thursday.
Guest Contribution: The Best Christmas Gifts for Your ‘Little Keynes’
In the spirit of the season, Peter Matheson, the Economics Counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, offers up some gift suggestions that teach the most important economic lessons.
