Economic Data for Thursday, September 16, 1999
Industrial Production for August = +0.3%
Capacity Utilization = +80.8%
bog.frb.fed.us
Industrial production, which had increased 0.7 percent in July, advanced 0.3 percent in August. A surge in the production of motor vehicles and parts accounted for the bulk of the advance. The output of electric utilities, which had moved up sharply earlier in the summer, fell back as temperatures returned to more normal levels. At 135.6 percent of its 1992 average, industrial production in August was 2.5 percent higher than in August 1998. The rate of capacity utilization for total industry rose 0.1 percentage point, to 80.8 percent, a level 1.3 percentage points below its 1967-98 average.
Weekly jobless claims = -4k to 288k
dol.gov
In the week ending Sept. 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 288,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 292,000. The 4-week moving average was 288,750, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's revised average of 289,000.
Philly Fed for August = +12.0
phil.frb.org
The current general activity index increased from 7.8 in July to 12.0 this month. Although nearly 59 percent of the manufacturers report no change in the overall level of activity from the previous month, the percentage reporting increases (27 percent) exceeded the percentage reporting decreases (15 percent). Responses suggest a notable improvement in new orders growth this month: the current new orders index increased from 5.2 to 19.8. The current shipments index also increased this month from 11.9 to 18.8. |
