U.S. Economic News

January 3, 2018

U.S. Economic Indicators

The ISM Manufacturing Index rose 1.5 percentage points to 59.7 in December.  The new orders index increased 5.4 percentage points to 69.4 while the employment index fell 2.7 percentage points to 57.0.  ISM Report

Construction spending increased 0.8% in November to an annualized rate of $1.26 trillion.  Public construction edged up 0.2% and private construction rose 1.0%.  Census Report

U.S. News

The Wall Street Journal reports that international producers of washing machines and solar panels are quickly increasing shipments to the U.S. as the government considers implementing new trade barriers. The president has until early 2018 to decide whether to impose tariffs on foreign washers and solar panels. WSJ