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Consumer spending increased 0.4%, but rose just a scant 0.1% after adjusting for inflation, in March 2008, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Thursday, as higher prices eroded income gains for Americans.

Further, it was the fourth straight month of sub-par real consumer demand.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected March 2008 consumer spending to increase 0.3%.

Meanwhile, inflation accelerated in March 2008, with consumer prices increasing 0.3%. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, also increased just 0.2%. For the past 12 months, consumer prices have increased 3.2%, while the core rate has increased 2.1%, or just above the U.S. Federal Reserve's inflation ceiling, commonly referred to as the Fed's 'comfort zone.'

Continue reading March real U.S. consumer spending rises 0.1%, as inflation erodes income gains

March real U.S. consumer spending rises 0.1%, as inflation erodes income gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 May 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer spendingCPIincomeinflationinthenewsU.S. Commerce DepartmentU.s.CommerceDepartmentThu, 01 May 2008 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. trade deficit narrows in December, declines 6% in 2007]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,

The trade deficit declined 6.9% to $58.8 billion in December 2007, as exports rose and imports fell, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Thursday. The figure was below the $61.6 trade deficit estimate.

For 2007, the trade deficit fell 6.2% to $711.6 billion, down from the record $758.5 billion recorded in 2006.

Monthly export record

December 2007 exports rose to a record $144.3 billion while imports declined for the first time in four months to $203.1 billion. Export activity remained strong to China, the Asia region, and South America. Exports of industrial supplies, civilian aircraft, capital goods, and consumer goods were particularly strong.

Economist Steve Affinito told BloggingStocks Thursday that in addition to a weaker dollar, which makes U.S. exports cheaper, the nation's exporters are demonstrating that they can find ways to maintain / increase international sales, even amid more-challenging economic conditions.

Trade: U.S. bright spot

"Across the board, companies are performing well on the export front, as U.S. goods, particularly high-value added items like aircraft, remain very competitive," Affinito said. "For the longest time trade had been a drag on U.S. GDP, but now it's starting to be a positive, which is good news for U.S. companies, employees, and the U.S. economy. The improving trade deficit picture is one of the few bright spots regarding the U.S. economy right now."

U.S. trade deficit narrows in December, declines 6% in 2007 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AsiacurrenciesdollarexportsGDPimportsinthenewsLatin AmericaLatinAmericaMiddle EastMiddleEasttradetrade deficitTradeDeficitU.S. Commerce DepartmentU.S. economyU.s.CommerceDepartmentU.s.EconomyThu, 14 Feb 2008 10:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Factory orders increase 2.3% in December, in-line with estimate]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/04/factory-orders-increase-2-3-in-december-in-line-with-estimate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/04/factory-orders-increase-2-3-in-december-in-line-with-estimate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/04/factory-orders-increase-2-3-in-december-in-line-with-estimate/#commentsFiled under: ,

U.S. factory orders increased in December 2007 -- a sign that business spending remains resilient even as employers pull-back regarding hiring plans.

Factory orders increased 2.3% in December 2007, in-line with the 2.3% consensus estimate, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday, in a statement. Factory orders rose a revised 1.7% in November 2007. Excluding transportation orders, factory orders increased 0.7% in December 2007.

Durable goods orders drove factory orders -- increasing 5% in the month. Orders for nondurable goods fell 0.4%; machinery increased 7.3%, and electronics rose 4.1%

Continue reading Factory orders increase 2.3% in December, in-line with estimate

Factory orders increase 2.3% in December, in-line with estimate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>durable goodsDurableGoodsfactory ordersGDPinthenewsU.S. Commerce DepartmentU.s.CommerceDepartmentMon, 04 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST