Economic Data for Friday, March 17, 2000
CPI for Feb. = +0.5%
Core = +0.2%
stats.bls.gov
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.5 percent in February, following increases of 0.2 percent in each of the preceding four months. The food index, which declined 0.1 percent in January, increased 0.4 percent in February, reflecting in part a sharp jump in meat prices.
The energy index rose 4.6 percent, its largest advance since a 6.0 percent rise in April 1999. The index for petroleum-based energy increased 8.0 percent and the index for energy services rose 1.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in February, the same as in January.
Philly Fed March
phil.frb.org
The diffusion index of current general activity increased significantly this month, from 13.3 to 25.0 (see chart). Nearly 35 percent of the manufacturers surveyed noted increases in activity this month, and 10 percent noted decreases. Consistent with the acceleration in general activity, the current new orders index jumped from 9.6 in February to 24.4 this month, its highest reading since March of last year. Nearly 37 percent of firms indicated an expansion of new orders this month compared with 25 percent in February. The current shipments index increased only slightly this month, from 23.8 to 25.9. |
