News

BLS Releases August 2017 Consumer Price Index (Sept. 2017)

09.26.2017

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in August on a seasonally-adjusted basis.  An increase in the indexes for gasoline and shelter were the main contributors to the monthly increase, as the energy index rose 2.8 percent, led by a 6.3 percent increase in the gasoline index.  

Excluding the volatile costs of food and energy, the index for all items less food and energy rose by 0.2 percent in August.  Many indexes increased in August including those for motor vehicle insurance, medical care, and recreation.

The all items index has risen 1.9 percent over the last 12 months ending in August, a larger rise than the 1.7 percent average rise for the 12 months ending in July. 

The full press release can be found via the .pdf below.

Next release is Friday, October 13, 2017 for the September 2017 Consumer Price Index.

BEA Releases Second Estimate of Second Quarter GDP and Preliminary Estimate of Second Quarter Corporate Profits (Aug. 2017)

09.26.2017

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released its “second” estimate of second quarter 2017 Gross Domestic Product.  The second estimate is based on more complete data than the “advance” estimate. 

The second estimate shows that real GDP increased at an annual rate of 3.0 percent during the second quarter of 2017.  In the first quarter of 2016, real GDP increased 1.2 percent (revised).

The increase in real GDP in the second quarter reflected increases in personal consumption expenditures, and nonresidential fixed investments were larger than previously estimated. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in state and local government funding.  

Imports, which is subtracted in the GDP calculation, increased. 

Corporate profits from current production increased $26.8 billion in the second quarter, compared to a decrease of $46.2 billion in the first quarter. 

The full BEA press release on the second estimate of second quarter GDP can be accessed in the link below:

The next release—for the third estimate of second quarter GDP 2017 will be released on September 28, 2017. 

NESTOA Session Presentation by Jeffrey B. Carr on 9/21/17, regarding the economic outlook (9/2017)

09.22.2017

This is the Presentation version of the PowerPoint given by Jeffrey B. Carr to the NESTOA session regarding the economic outlook on September 21, 2017, in Stowe, Vermont.  A version which includes state-by-state job change statistics including the States of Delaware and Maryland in the Northeast Totals and the Mid-Atlantic Region will be posted below shortly.

NESTOA Session Presentation by Jeffrey B. Carr on 9/21/17, regarding the economic outlook, including States of Delaware and Maryland (9/2017)

09.22.2017

This is the Presentation version of the PowerPoint given by Jeffrey B. Carr to the NESTOA session regarding the national and northeast regional economic outlook on September 21, 2017, in Stowe, Vermont.  This version does include state-by state job change statistics in the States of Delaware and Maryland in the Northeast Totals and in the Mid-Atlantic region.

BLS Releases August 2017 Employment Situation (Sept. 2017)

09.01.2017

Employers added 156,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August of 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent.

Job gains occurred in manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care, and mining. The number of jobs in professional and business services increased by 22,000 over the month, while manufacturing gained 36,000 jobs and construction gained 28,000 jobs.

Job growth in July 2017 was revised to 189,000, down from the initially estimated 209,000.  Over the past three months, job growth has averaged 185,000 additions a month. 

Average hourly earnings rose by three cents to $26.39, following a nine-cent increase in July. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen 2.5 percent.  

The full BLS press release on the August 2017 employment situation can be accessed in the .pdf below:

The next employment situation report for April 2017 will be released on Friday, October 6, 2017.