Dees Stribling
Economy Watch: Contrary to Expectations, Some Retailers Are Expanding
While retail bankruptcies are at an all-time high, there are certain retailers that are still expanding, mainly in the off-price or discount category, according to a recent CBRE retail report.
Economy Watch: Americans Earn More, Spend More in April
The month’s increase in personal income was mainly because of a boost in private wages and salaries, the BEA reported. This bodes well for the wider economy, and potentially for retail sales.
Economy Watch: AIA Predicts More Construction Starts in 2018
The Architecture Billings Index has posted three consecutive months of design revenue growth, according to the AIA, which bodes well for construction spending growth next year.
Economy Watch: Chicago Fed National Activity Index Points to Economic Growth
U.S. manufacturing and other production-related indicators contributed to the CFNAI increase in April, according to the Chicago Fed, indicating that the economy is still in growth mode.
Economy Watch: State Unemployment Rates Reach New Lows
Jobless rates were lower in April than in March in 10 states, stable in 39 states and D.C., and higher in only one state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Colorado’s unemployment rate of 2.3 percent is the lowest rate since the BLS began reporting these numbers in 1976.
Economy Watch: Leading Economic Indicators Hint at Late-Year Growth
A 0.3 percent increase in the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index seems to point to the continual recovery of the U.S. economy, despite weak first-quarter GDP growth.
Economy Watch: Hotel Pipeline Grows in April
Nearly 4,843 hotels were currently in process in the U.S. in April, according to a recent STR report, an increase of 15 percent from a year ago. Limited service hotels account for roughly two-thirds of all hotel construction in the country.
Economy Watch: Internet Sales Continue Robust Growth
The growth of e-commerce sales has been steady over the last decade, including during the recession, hitting $105.7 billion in the first quarter of 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Conventional retail sales, on the other hand, saw its most anemic quarterly growth since the onset of the recession.
Economy Watch: Consumers Still Fairly Optimistic
Favorable income gains and low inflation contributed to consumers expressing more optimism about the U.S. economy and their wage expectations in May, according to the University of Michigan’s latest Consumer Sentiment Index.
Economy Watch: Inflation Edges Up in April
The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent for the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While it’s not the only metric the Federal Open Market Committee considers, the increase could increase the odds that interest rates will rise next month.