December Retail Sales Miss Expectations

  • January 13, 2017
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The Commerce Department reports retail sales rose 0.6% last month, missing expectations for a rise of 0.7%. Excluding the volatile auto component, sales rose 0.2%, compared to views for a 0.5% increase.

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December Producer Prices Meet Expectations

  • January 13, 2017
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The Labor Department reports prices at the wholesale level rose 0.3% in December, matching expectations. Prices excluding the volatile food and energy components rose 0.2%. Wall St expected a rise of 0.1%.

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January Consumer Sentiment Little Changed

  • January 13, 2017
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A closely-watched gauge of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan came in at 98.1 in January. That’s down a tick from December’s reading of 98.2. Economists were looking for the reading to increase to 98.5.

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Empire Manufacturing Slowed in January

  • January 17, 2017
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The New York Federal Reserve’s gauge of manufacturing activity in the region fell in January. The gauge declined to a reading of 6.50 from a downward revised December reading of 7.60 in December. Wall Street had anticipated a smaller decline to a reading of 8.50. Readings above 0 point to expansion, while those below indicate

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Consumer Prices Rise as Expected

  • January 18, 2017
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The Labor Department reports prices at the consumer level increased 0.3% in December, matching the estimate. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, prices were up 0.2%, also matching expectations.

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Home Builder Sentiment

  • January 18, 2017
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Home Builders Sentiment 67 vs. estimates of 70. Last month was revised lower from 70 to 69. Anything above 50 is good. Not a factor in interest rate pricing.

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Yellen Says Economy Near Goals, Warranting Gradual Rate Hikes

  • January 18, 2017
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Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the U.S. economy is “close” to the central bank’s objectives of full employment and stable prices and she’s confident it will continue to improve.

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Fed Beige Book

  • January 18, 2017
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Firms and industries were optimistic about growth this year. Employment gains were characterized as slight to moderate, with most of the Fed’s 12 districts saying they expected the labor market to continue tightening.

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European Central Bank Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged

  • January 19, 2017
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The European Central Bank left its key refi rate at zero. The ECB also left its deposit rate at a negative 0.40%. That means banks continue to pay to have their money parked at the bank. Asset purchases remain at 80 billion euros per month until end of March, then 60 billion euros per month

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December Housing Starts Jump 11.3%

  • January 19, 2017
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Housing starts came in at an annual rate of 1.226 million in December. That topped the estimate for 1.200 million. Building permits, which are a sign of future activity, came in at 1.210 million, missing the estimate for 1.225 million.

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