U.S. Economic News
January 18, 2018
U.S. Economic Indicators
Privately-owned housing starts fell 8.2% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million (down 6.0% year-over-year). Housing permits edged down 0.1% to a 1.30 million annual pace in December but are up 2.8% on the year. Census Bureau Report
Initial jobless claims decreased 41,000 to 220,000 last week. The four-week moving average fell 6,250 to 244,500. DOL Report
The Philadelphia Fed’s Business Outlook Survey fell 5.7 points to 22.2 in January, suggesting that mid-Atlantic manufacturing continues to expand but at a slightly slower pace. The current shipments index increased 6.4 points to 30.3 while the current new orders index dropped 18.1 points to 10.1. Report