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Housing Starts rebounded in April, rising 5.7% from March, though coming in lower than economists had forecasted. However, starts for single-family homes, which make up the bulk of homebuilding and are the most crucial due to buyer demand, were essentially flat at a 0.4% decline. There was a similar trend in future construction, with Building […]

Confidence among home builders fell back below the key breakeven threshold of 50, per the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as their Housing Market Index dropped six points to 45 in May. Any score over 50 on this index, which runs from 0 to 100, signals that more builders view conditions as good than […]

The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation on the wholesale level, rose 0.5% in April, coming in hotter than estimates. Core PPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was also above forecasts at a 0.5% rise. What’s the bottom line? On the surface, these monthly figures looked like a significant rise in […]

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed cooler than expected inflation in April, with the headline reading up 0.3% from March versus the forecasted 0.4% rise. On an annual basis, CPI eased from 3.5% to 3.4%, which was a move lower in the right direction following the uptick in March. The Core measure, which strips […]

We’ll see crucial readings on inflation when the Producer and Consumer Price Indexes for April are reported on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Key housing data will also be delivered, starting with this month’s builder confidence reading from the National Association of Home Builders on Wednesday. April’s Housing Starts and Building Permits follow on Thursday. Also […]

May 15 marks National Chocolate Chip Day and is the perfect reason to enjoy these Chocolate Chip Muffins courtesy of Food.com. Yields 12 muffins. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 12 muffin cups or spray with baking spray. In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, […]

The most recent consumer spending data for March was strong (Core Retail Sales up 1.1% and Personal Spending up 0.8%), aided by pandemic savings from stimulus and credit. But there are signs this support may be coming to an end. A recent article by San Francisco Fed analysts revealed that “American households fully spent their […]

Initial Jobless Claims rose by 22,000 in the latest week, reaching their highest level since last August, as 231,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time. Continuing Claims also rose 17,000, with 1.785 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? The jump in Initial Jobless Claims […]

CoreLogic’s Home Price Index showed that home prices nationwide rose a strong 1.2% in March after rising 0.7% in February, showing that home price appreciation is not just continuing – it’s accelerating. Prices are also 5.3% higher when compared to March of last year. CoreLogic forecasts that home prices will rise 0.8% in April and […]

ADP’s Employment Report showed that private payrolls rose more than expected in April, led by another boost from the leisure and hospitality sector. Employers added 192,000 new jobs versus the 175,000 that had been forecasted, while job growth in February was also revised higher by 24,000 jobs. What’s the bottom line? ADP’s Chief Economist, Nela […]

It’s National Strawberry Month! This Strawberry Granola Parfait courtesy of Good Housekeeping makes for a delicious breakfast, snack or even dessert. Yields 1 parfait. In a 3-quart saucepan, cook 1 pound hulled strawberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel on medium until strawberries are soft but still red, stirring, about […]

The Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which is considered the “gold standard” for appreciation, showed home prices nationwide rose 0.4% from January to February after seasonal adjustment. Home values in February were also 6.4% higher than a year earlier, which is the fastest annual rate since November 2022. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) House Price […]

Initial Jobless Claims were flat in the latest week, as 208,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time. Continuing Claims also held steady, with 1.774 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? The low level of Initial Jobless Claims suggests that employers are still trying to […]

The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that job openings contracted to 8.488 million in March, down from 8.813 million in February and well below estimates. The hiring rate fell from 3.7% to 3.5%, while the quit rate fell from 2.2% to 2.1%. What’s the bottom line? Job openings have reached their […]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were 175,000 jobs created in April, which was well below estimates of 243,000 new jobs. Revisions to February and March shaved 22,000 jobs from those months combined. The unemployment rate rose from 3.8% to 3.9%. What’s the bottom line? The headline job number comes from the […]