The Baker Hughes rig count lost 10 this week. There are 1012 oil and gas rigs operating in the US – Down 1 over last year.
Brent Crude Oil gained 0.59% this week closing at $71.97/bbl
WTI Crude Oil gained 0.28% this week to close at $64.07/bbl
Heating Oil was flat this week closing at $2.07/gallon
Natural Gas lost 6.39% this week closing at $2.49 per million BTUs
Unleaded Gas lost 0.22% this week closing at $2.03/gallon
Metals Complex
Gold back under $1300/oz. again.
Gold declined 1.48% this week closing at $1276.00/oz
Silver declined 0.05% on the week closing at $14.95/oz
Palladium gained 3.58% this week closing at $1398.50/oz
Platinum gained 0.58% this week closing at $903.70/oz
Copper lost 0.88% this week closing at $2.92/lb
Employment Picture
Weekly Unemployment Claims – Released Thursday 4/18 – In the week ending April 13th, initial claims were 192,000 a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This marks the lowest claims level since September 6, 1969. The 4-week moving average was 201,250, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised average. This marks the lowest level for this average since November 1, 1969.
Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey JOLTS – Released Tuesday 4/9 – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the number of job openings declined from 7.6 million to 7.1 million on the last business day of February. Over the month, hires and separations were little changed at 5.7 million and 5.6 million, respectively. Within separations, the quits rate remained unchanged at 2.3% at a level of 3.5 million. The layoffs and discharges rates were little changed at 1.2%.
March Jobs Report – BLS Summary– Released 4/5 – The US Economyadded 196k nonfarm jobs in March and the Unemployment rate remained at 3.8%. March’s 196k increase in nonfarm jobs has stifled concerns over recession and provided relief from concerns that had developed after February’s small 20k increase. The February report was revised up 13k. Average hourly earnings increased by 4 cents. Hiring highlights include Education and Health Services +70k, Professional and Business Services +37k, Leisure and Hospitality +33k, and Retail Trade -12k.
Average hourly earnings increased by 4 cents/ 0.14% in March y/y hourly earnings are up 3.2%.
U3 unemployment held steady at 3.8%. U6 unemployment rate also held steady at 7.3%.
The labor force participation rate declined slightly by 0.2% to 63.0%.
Average workweek increased slightly by 0.1 hour to 34.5 hours.
Employment Cost Index – Released 1/31/19 – Compensation costs for civilian workers increased by 2.9% for the 12-month period ending in December 2018 compared with a compensation costs increase of 2.6% in December 2017. Wages and salaries were up 3.1%, versus 2.5% for the 12-month period ending December 2017. Benefit costs increased by 2.8%, versus 2.5% in December 2017. For private industry workers, compensation costs increased 3.0% year-over-year, versus 2.6% for the 12 months ending December 2017. Wages and salaries increased 3.1% year-over-year, versus 2.8% for the 12 months ending December 2017. Benefit costs increased by 2.6%, versus 2.3% for the 12 months ending December 2017. This report is published quarterly.
This Week’s Economic Data
Links take you to the data source
Housing Starts– Released 4/19 – New home starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.139 million; down 0.3% below February and 14.2% below last March’s rate. Building Permits were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.269 million, down 1.7% compared to February and down 7.8% over last year.
Retail Sales – Released 4/18 – U.S. retail sales for March 2019, were $514.1 billion, an increase of 1.6% from the previous month. Retail sales are up 3.6% year to year.
U.S. Trade Balance – Released 4/17 –The U.S. Trade deficit was $49.4 billion in February, down $1.8 billion from $51.1 billion in January. February exports were $209.7 billion, $2.3 billion more than January exports. February imports were $259.1 billion, $0.6 billion more than January imports. The goods and services deficit decreased $8.3 billion year to date. Year to date exports and imports increased $11.1 billion or 2.7% and $2.8 billion or 0.5% respectively.
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization – Released 4/16 – Industrial production declined slightly down 0.1% in March following a 0.1% increase in February. Manufacturing output was unchanged for March following two months of decline. Capacity utilization declined 0.2% to 78.8%. Utilization is 1.0% below its long-run (1972-2018) average.
Recent Economic Data
Links take you to the data source
Producer Price Index –Released 4/11 – The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.6% in March. Core PPI (less food and energy) increased by 0.2%. Year over year the index for final demand rose 2.2%.
Consumer Price Index –Released 4/10 – The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.4% in March. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy increased 0.1%. The monthly changes left total CPI up 1.9% year-over-year and core CPI up 2.0%.
Consumer Credit –Released 4/5 – Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.5% in February. Revolving and nonrevolving credit increased by 3.25% and 5.0% respectively. Total Outstanding consumer credit is currently at $4.046 trillion.
US Light Vehicle Sales – Released 4/3 – U.S. light vehicle sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 18.01 million units in March versus a SAAR of 17.04 million units in February. The March run rate was up 1.7% from the SAAR of 17.71 million units for March 2018.
PMI Non-Manufacturing Index (ISM Services) – Released 4/3 – Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in March for the 110th consecutive month. ISM Non-Manufacturing registered 56.1 percent, which is 3.6 percentage points lower than the February reading of 59.7 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector, at a slower rate.
Durable Goods– Released 4/2 – New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased $4.2 billion or 1.6% to $250.6 billion in February.February’s decline ends three consecutive months of gains. Transportation equipment, down 4.8%, drove the decrease by $4.3 billion to $86.0 billion.
PMI Manufacturing ISM Index – Released 4/1 – March PMI increased 1.1% to 55.3% from February’s reading of 54.2%. The New Orders Index was up 1.9% from February’s reading of 55.5% to 57.4% for March. The Production Index registered 55.8% up 1.0%.
U.S. Construction Spending – Released 4/1 –Construction spending increased by 1.0% in February measuring at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,320.3 billion. The February figure is 1.1% above the February 2018 estimate. Private construction spending was 0.2% above the revised January estimate at $994.5 billion.
Personal Income– Released 3/29 – Personal Income increased 0.2% in February after seeing a 0.1% decline in January according to the BEA. The majority of the increase in February was due to increases in wages and salaries, government social benefits, and proprietor’s income. The decrease in January was primarily reflected by decreases in personal dividend income, farm proprietors’ income, and personal interest income. Real PCE (the Feds preferred inflation gauge) increased by 0.1% in January. Real disposable personal income decreased by 0.2% for January.
New Residential Sales– Released 3/29 – Sales of new single-family homes increased 4.9% to 667k, seasonally adjusted, in February. The median sales price of new homes sold in February was $315.3k with an average sales price of $379.6k. At the end of February, the seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale was 340k. This represents a supply of 6.1 months at the current sales rate.
Chicago PMI – Released 3/29 –Chicago PMI declined by 6 points in March falling to 58.7, down from 64.7 in February. The Prices Paid indicator experienced its biggest decline in the past 17 months hitting its lowest level since August 2017. Although the Chicago Business Barometer has remained above the 50 – neutral level for more than two years, survey evidence suggests a slight slowdown since last year.
3rd Estimate of 4th Quarter GDP – Released 3/28 – According to the third estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real Gross Domestic Product (Real GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The first estimate had suggested an annual rate of 2.6%. The general view of economic growth remains the same. The increase in real GDP reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local gov’t spending. Negative contributions included imports which increased in the fourth quarter. Both nonresidential fixed investment and imports were revised down.
Consumer Confidence – Released 3/26 – The Consumer confidence index declined in March. The Index now shows a reading of 124.1 down from 131.4 in February. Expectations in recent months had declined due to financial market volatility, the government shutdown, and a poor Jobs report in February. Worries of a global economic slowdown have moderated consumer confidence. Consumer confidence levels suggest consumers still expect the economy to continue to expand as consumers continue to view both business and labor market conditions favorably. The pace of expansion of the economy is expected to moderate in 2019 however; especially as confidence softens.
Existing Home Sales – Released 3/22 – Existing home sales dramatically increased rising 11.8% in February. Sales increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.51 million. Sales are currently down 1.8% from one year ago. Housing inventory increased to 3.5 months of inventory and the existing homes for sale increased to 1.63 million. The median sales price for all types of homes was $245,500, up 3.6% year/y.
Next week we get data on Existing Home Sales, New Residential Sales, Durable Goods, and the 1st Estimate of First Quarter GDP Growth.
Table of Contents
Fixed Income
FOMC March Statement Federal Reserve Dot Plots Dec 18 US Debt Measurement March Meeting Minutes US Corporate Debt Tops $6 Trillion Treasury.gov yields
Global Bond Yields
Foreign Exchange Market
Energy Complex
The Baker Hughes rig count lost 10 this week. There are 1012 oil and gas rigs operating in the US – Down 1 over last year.
Metals Complex
Gold back under $1300/oz. again.
Employment Picture
Weekly Unemployment Claims – Released Thursday 4/18 – In the week ending April 13th, initial claims were 192,000 a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This marks the lowest claims level since September 6, 1969. The 4-week moving average was 201,250, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised average. This marks the lowest level for this average since November 1, 1969.
Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey JOLTS – Released Tuesday 4/9 – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the number of job openings declined from 7.6 million to 7.1 million on the last business day of February. Over the month, hires and separations were little changed at 5.7 million and 5.6 million, respectively. Within separations, the quits rate remained unchanged at 2.3% at a level of 3.5 million. The layoffs and discharges rates were little changed at 1.2%.
March Jobs Report – BLS Summary – Released 4/5 – The US Economy added 196k nonfarm jobs in March and the Unemployment rate remained at 3.8%. March’s 196k increase in nonfarm jobs has stifled concerns over recession and provided relief from concerns that had developed after February’s small 20k increase. The February report was revised up 13k. Average hourly earnings increased by 4 cents. Hiring highlights include Education and Health Services +70k, Professional and Business Services +37k, Leisure and Hospitality +33k, and Retail Trade -12k.
Employment Cost Index – Released 1/31/19 – Compensation costs for civilian workers increased by 2.9% for the 12-month period ending in December 2018 compared with a compensation costs increase of 2.6% in December 2017. Wages and salaries were up 3.1%, versus 2.5% for the 12-month period ending December 2017. Benefit costs increased by 2.8%, versus 2.5% in December 2017. For private industry workers, compensation costs increased 3.0% year-over-year, versus 2.6% for the 12 months ending December 2017. Wages and salaries increased 3.1% year-over-year, versus 2.8% for the 12 months ending December 2017. Benefit costs increased by 2.6%, versus 2.3% for the 12 months ending December 2017. This report is published quarterly.
This Week’s Economic Data
Links take you to the data source
Housing Starts – Released 4/19 – New home starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.139 million; down 0.3% below February and 14.2% below last March’s rate. Building Permits were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.269 million, down 1.7% compared to February and down 7.8% over last year.
Retail Sales – Released 4/18 – U.S. retail sales for March 2019, were $514.1 billion, an increase of 1.6% from the previous month. Retail sales are up 3.6% year to year.
U.S. Trade Balance – Released 4/17 – The U.S. Trade deficit was $49.4 billion in February, down $1.8 billion from $51.1 billion in January. February exports were $209.7 billion, $2.3 billion more than January exports. February imports were $259.1 billion, $0.6 billion more than January imports. The goods and services deficit decreased $8.3 billion year to date. Year to date exports and imports increased $11.1 billion or 2.7% and $2.8 billion or 0.5% respectively.
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization – Released 4/16 – Industrial production declined slightly down 0.1% in March following a 0.1% increase in February. Manufacturing output was unchanged for March following two months of decline. Capacity utilization declined 0.2% to 78.8%. Utilization is 1.0% below its long-run (1972-2018) average.
Recent Economic Data
Links take you to the data source
Producer Price Index – Released 4/11 – The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.6% in March. Core PPI (less food and energy) increased by 0.2%. Year over year the index for final demand rose 2.2%.
Consumer Price Index – Released 4/10 – The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.4% in March. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy increased 0.1%. The monthly changes left total CPI up 1.9% year-over-year and core CPI up 2.0%.
Consumer Credit – Released 4/5 – Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.5% in February. Revolving and nonrevolving credit increased by 3.25% and 5.0% respectively. Total Outstanding consumer credit is currently at $4.046 trillion.
US Light Vehicle Sales – Released 4/3 – U.S. light vehicle sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 18.01 million units in March versus a SAAR of 17.04 million units in February. The March run rate was up 1.7% from the SAAR of 17.71 million units for March 2018.
PMI Non-Manufacturing Index (ISM Services) – Released 4/3 – Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in March for the 110th consecutive month. ISM Non-Manufacturing registered 56.1 percent, which is 3.6 percentage points lower than the February reading of 59.7 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector, at a slower rate.
Durable Goods – Released 4/2 – New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased $4.2 billion or 1.6% to $250.6 billion in February. February’s decline ends three consecutive months of gains. Transportation equipment, down 4.8%, drove the decrease by $4.3 billion to $86.0 billion.
PMI Manufacturing ISM Index – Released 4/1 – March PMI increased 1.1% to 55.3% from February’s reading of 54.2%. The New Orders Index was up 1.9% from February’s reading of 55.5% to 57.4% for March. The Production Index registered 55.8% up 1.0%.
U.S. Construction Spending – Released 4/1 – Construction spending increased by 1.0% in February measuring at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,320.3 billion. The February figure is 1.1% above the February 2018 estimate. Private construction spending was 0.2% above the revised January estimate at $994.5 billion.
Personal Income – Released 3/29 – Personal Income increased 0.2% in February after seeing a 0.1% decline in January according to the BEA. The majority of the increase in February was due to increases in wages and salaries, government social benefits, and proprietor’s income. The decrease in January was primarily reflected by decreases in personal dividend income, farm proprietors’ income, and personal interest income. Real PCE (the Feds preferred inflation gauge) increased by 0.1% in January. Real disposable personal income decreased by 0.2% for January.
New Residential Sales – Released 3/29 – Sales of new single-family homes increased 4.9% to 667k, seasonally adjusted, in February. The median sales price of new homes sold in February was $315.3k with an average sales price of $379.6k. At the end of February, the seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale was 340k. This represents a supply of 6.1 months at the current sales rate.
Chicago PMI – Released 3/29 – Chicago PMI declined by 6 points in March falling to 58.7, down from 64.7 in February. The Prices Paid indicator experienced its biggest decline in the past 17 months hitting its lowest level since August 2017. Although the Chicago Business Barometer has remained above the 50 – neutral level for more than two years, survey evidence suggests a slight slowdown since last year.
3rd Estimate of 4th Quarter GDP – Released 3/28 – According to the third estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real Gross Domestic Product (Real GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The first estimate had suggested an annual rate of 2.6%. The general view of economic growth remains the same. The increase in real GDP reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local gov’t spending. Negative contributions included imports which increased in the fourth quarter. Both nonresidential fixed investment and imports were revised down.
Consumer Confidence – Released 3/26 – The Consumer confidence index declined in March. The Index now shows a reading of 124.1 down from 131.4 in February. Expectations in recent months had declined due to financial market volatility, the government shutdown, and a poor Jobs report in February. Worries of a global economic slowdown have moderated consumer confidence. Consumer confidence levels suggest consumers still expect the economy to continue to expand as consumers continue to view both business and labor market conditions favorably. The pace of expansion of the economy is expected to moderate in 2019 however; especially as confidence softens.
Existing Home Sales – Released 3/22 – Existing home sales dramatically increased rising 11.8% in February. Sales increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.51 million. Sales are currently down 1.8% from one year ago. Housing inventory increased to 3.5 months of inventory and the existing homes for sale increased to 1.63 million. The median sales price for all types of homes was $245,500, up 3.6% year/y.
Next week we get data on Existing Home Sales, New Residential Sales, Durable Goods, and the 1st Estimate of First Quarter GDP Growth.
Data Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED Charts)
CME Fed Watch
U.S. Treasury – Yields
U.S. Census Bureau
Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Weekly DOL Employment Data
BLS Monthly Jobs Report
JOLTS
US Energy Admin (EIA)
BLS Consumer Price Index CPI
BLS Producer Price Index PPI
Atlanta Fed GDPNOW
NY Fed Nowcast GDP
US Census Bureau Housing Starts
Consumer Credit
USCB Retail Sales
Construction Spending
Federal Reserve Dot Plots
NY Empire Index
Philadelphia Federal Reserve
P/E Ratio Data -Yardeni Research
Technical Analysis Info:
StockCharts.com – Financial Charts
Exponential vs Simple moving average
Other Links:
1973 Arab Oil Embargo
Hunt Brothers Silver
Long-Term Capital bailout
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