U.S. Economic News
April 11, 2019
U.S. Economic Indicators
Initial jobless claims fell 8,000 to 196,000 last week, the lowest level for initial claims since 1969. The four-week moving average fell 7,000 to 207,000. DOL Report
The headline Producer Price Index (“PPI”) for final demand rose 0.6% in March and is up 2.2% since March of last year. The core — which removes volatile prices of food, energy, and trade services — was unchanged in March and is up 2.0% from a year ago. BLS Report
U.S. News
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the U.S. and China have agreed on an enforcement mechanism for their potential trade deal. Mnuchin indicated that the two countries are also close to completing a currency agreement which would limit China’s ability to manipulate its currency to gain an unfair trade advantage. WSJ
The Wall Street Journal reports that Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Richard Clarida said the U.S. economy is doing well, despite his expectation that growth will slow this year from last year. Clarida stated that Fed officials are remaining patient as they assess the need for monetary policy adjustments amid slowing global growth and Brexit. WSJ