U.S. Economic News
August 13, 2019
U.S. Economic Indicators
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.4 points to 104.7 in July as seven components improved, two weakened, and one was unchanged. Capital spending plans and employment expectations improved, while plans to increase inventories were unchanged and expectations for credit conditions eased. NFIB Report
Consumer prices rose 0.3% in July (up 1.8% from a year ago). The “core” CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3% in July and is up 2.2% from last year. BLS Report
U.S. News
The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. has announced it will delay imposing new 10% tariffs on certain Chinese products — including cellphones, laptops, and toys — until December 15, and will remove other goods from the tariff list entirely. The delay softens the impact on U.S. retailers dependent on imports from China and gives negotiators additional time to strike a deal before the new levies go into effect. WSJ