Economy Watch: Federal Deficit Continues to Shrink
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the federal budget deficit for the fiscal year of 2014 (which ends Sept. 30) will amount to $506 billion, or about $170 billion lower than the shortfall in 2013.
Economy Watch: Home Prices Continue Their Deceleration
The latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, which were released on Tuesday by S&P Dow Jones Indices, show a sustained slowdown in U.S. home price increases.
‘Economy Watch’ Podcast with Dees Stribling: Fairly Good Housing News
Fairly good housing news during the Dog Days of summer.
Economy Watch: New Home Sales Drop in July
Sales of new single-family houses in July 2014 were at an annualized rate of 412,000 units, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.
Economy Watch: Yellen Worried About Employment, Non-Committal on Rates
The Federal Reserve has long been adept at maintaining a poker face, and Chair Janet Yellen seems to be carrying on the practice.
Economy Watch: Fed Seems More Optimistic
The Federal Open Market Committee released the minutes of its July 29-30 meeting, striking a tone of mild optimism, in as much as the tone of the meeting was actually reflected by the minutes.
Economy Watch: Housing Starts Spike in July
U.S. housing starts jumped in July compared with June, according to the Census Bureau, a reversal of the preceding months, which have been generally sluggish for housing starts.
Ups and Downs
(value of manufacturers’ new orders; not seasonally adjusted; $ in millions)
‘Economy Watch’ Podcast with Dees Stribling: Retail Sales Disappointed
Retail sales disappointed in July, but at least the U.S. economy isn’t the E.U. economy.