U.S. Economic News

October 26, 2017

U.S. Economic Indicators

The U.S. Census Bureau Advance Economic Indicators Report shows that the goods deficit widened to $64.1 billion in September from $63.3 billion (revised) in August.  Meanwhile, wholesale inventories rose 0.3% while retail inventories fell 1.0%.  Census Bureau Report
 
The National Association of Realtors pending home sales index
was unchanged in September (down 3.5% Y/Y).  NAR says that any savings attributable to lower mortgage rates have been offset by climbing home prices which have pushed many buyers out of the market.  NAR Report

Initial jobless claims increased 10,000 to 233,000 last week.  The four-week moving average fell 9,000 to 239,500. DOL Report

U.S. News

Greg Ip of the Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration continues to roll back regulations in order to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Ip writes that changes to pharmaceutical and telecom regulations should help to speed the development of new drugs and expand broadband access across the country. WSJ