Well, I've been compiling daily data for my own benefit . Figured others here might have an interest in seeing the raw economic indicators to get an idea of the state of our economy and the trend it is taking. If people are interested, I can update it weekly. If not, I'll let it die hehe.

Btw: I also get daily data on Euro economic indicators ... if there's interest, I suppose I can start a new thread on that

Be warned ... large amounts of data to follow

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Week ending Feb 8th

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales [United States] (5.8%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales rose 5.8% in December according to the ICSC chain store index, handily exceeding expectations. Growth was the strongest since last September. Luxury retailers continued to outperform discounters. However, sales gains that exceeded recent results were widespread.

RELEASE: Jobless Claims [United States] (356,000)
FIRST TAKE: Initial jobless claims rose above expectations, to 356,000 last week. The surprising increase can be explained in part by layoffs related to the winter storms. Continuing jobless claims for the week ending January 24 were unchanged, at 3.12 million.

RELEASE: Productivity and Costs [United States] (2.7%)
FIRST TAKE: Preliminary productivity growth for the fourth quarter slowed to 2.7%, largely in line with expectations. Annual average productivity rose 4.2% in the nonfarm business sector for all of 2003.

RELEASE: Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey [United States] (-17.9%)
FIRST TAKE: Bank lending standards and terms for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) lending eased further during the last three months of 2003, and loan demand also picked up.

RELEASE: MBA Mortgage Applications Survey [United States] (855.7)
FIRST TAKE: The MBA index retreated last week by 1.5% to 856. Nonetheless, purchase activity remains very high, thanks to mortgage interest rates that remain very low. As long as mortgage rates remain low, mortgage demand for purchases will be sturdy. While it looks good relative to a month ago, the refi index stands considerably below its heights of last year.

RELEASE: ABC News/Money Magazine Consumer Comfort Index [United States] (-5)
FIRST TAKE: The ABC News/Money Magazine consumer comfort index was unchanged this week, finishing the month of January up slightly from the start of the year.

RELEASE: ISM Non-Mfg.Index [United States] (65.7)
FIRST TAKE: Services industries started off 2004 on a strong note, as the ISM Non-Mfg Index soared past consensus expectations and rose a full 7.7 percentage points to hit a new record high of 65.7%. This marks the fifth time in the past seven months the index surpassed the 60% benchmark.

RELEASE: Factory Orders (SIO or M3) [United States] (1.1%)
FIRST TAKE: December factory orders surpassed (low) expectations, rising 1.1%. Importantly, it was not simply strong nondurable orders, but a revision to durable orders--from a 0.1% decline to a 0.3% increase. That’s good news.

RELEASE: Semiconductor Billings [United States] (-0.6%)
FIRST TAKE: Global semiconductor sales slipped in December, which is typical at the end of the year. On a year-over-year basis, chip sales continue to climb at a strong clip. The broad rebound in chip sales is expected to be sustained this year.

RELEASE: Personal Income [United States] (0.2%)
FIRST TAKE: Personal income grew 0.2% in December and spending rose 0.4%, both in line with expectations and slower than November. Income was revised downward in November while spending was revised up. Wages fell in December for the first time since October 2002. The saving rate fell to 1.3%.

RELEASE: ISM Index [United States] (63.6)
FIRST TAKE: The ISM index for January rose slightly over December’s revised figure. At 63.6, the index is still signaling a rapid expansion in the nation’s manufacturing sector. Moreover, the employment component of the index remained above 50 for the third straight month.

RELEASE: Construction Spending (C30) [United States] (0.4%)
FIRST TAKE: Construction spending expanded by 0.4% in December, a healthy gain but still below the consensus estimate of 0.8%. November was revised down from 1.2% to 0.5%, indicating construction activity lost some momentum during the fourth quarter.

Week ending Jan 31

RELEASE: GDP [United States] (4.0%)
FIRST TAKE: The first look at fourth quarter GDP growth yields a solid, though below consensus, reading of 4%. Nonetheless, growth was generally broad based, suggesting a recovery still on track.

RELEASE: NAPM - NY Report [United States] (257.3)
FIRST TAKE: Without a doubt, recovery is accelerating in New York City, according to the NAPM-NY survey in January. The headline Business Conditions Index reached 257.3 during the month, the highest level in over a year and a 6.1% increase from the reading in December.

RELEASE: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey [United States] (103.8)
FIRST TAKE: The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index final value for January was 103.8, up over 11 points from December and fractionally higher than the preliminary reading. This puts confidence at its highest value since November 2000. Both components rose strongly from December.

RELEASE: Chicago PMI [United States] (65.9)
FIRST TAKE: The Chicago PMI soared above expectations, rising to its highest reading since July 1994. Manufacturing activity remains extremely strong, although robust production has yet to translate into rising payrolls.

RELEASE: ECRI Weekly Leading Index [United States] (132.7)
FIRST TAKE: The six-month growth rate of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index (WLI) rose to 10.8% during the week ending January 23. This came despite a modest decline in the index’s level from 133.3 to 132.7.

RELEASE: Agricultural Prices [United States] (-1.8%)
FIRST TAKE: Agricultural commodity prices fell 1.8% between December and January. Coming as no big surprise, cattle prices fell sharply due to the discovery of mad cow disease. Other prices that came in lower this month include lettuce and milk, which offset the higher prices farmers received for eggs, soybeans, corn, and broilers.

RELEASE: Jobless Claims [United States] (342,000)
FIRST TAKE: Today’s release has no surprises. Last week initial unemployment insurance claims totaled 342,000, in line with consensus estimates and about equal to the level of the previous two weeks. The trend of slow recovery in the labor market is firmly set. Continuing claims rose slightly, to 3.1 million, but are also trending down.

RELEASE: Employment Cost Index [United States] (0.7%)
FIRST TAKE: Employment costs accelerated by 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2003, below consensus expectations. Both wage and benefits costs moderated; still, benefit costs acceleration accounted for over half of the increase in total compensation costs. Low employer costs are likely helping corporate profits, but healthcare costs remain a serious concern.

RELEASE: Chicago Fed National Activity Index [United States] (0.13)
FIRST TAKE: The December edition of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index came in at 0.13, marking the fourth consecutive month the U.S. economy has recorded above-trend economic growth. November’s initial estimate was revised upward from 0.55 to 0.68.

RELEASE: The Conference Board Help Wanted Index [United States] (38)
FIRST TAKE: The Conference Board’s help wanted index dipped by one point, to 38, contrary to expectations. This confirms suspicions that while layoffs are abating, companies are still reluctant or don’t need to take on new workers.

RELEASE: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey [United States] (1.8%)
FIRST TAKE: The labor market is in transition. Layoffs are abating strongly, while hiring activity is just picking up. Layoffs are down sharply, off 14% compared to a year ago. The number of available job openings has risen by 1.8% and the number of hires is up by 3.1%, the second month of increase.

RELEASE: MBA Mortgage Applications Survey [United States] (868.9)
FIRST TAKE: The MBA index retreated last week by 5.2% to 869, following a three-week surge. Nonetheless, purchase activity remains very high, thanks to mortgage interest rates that remain low. The refi index also looks good relative to a month ago, but remains far from the boom of last year. As long as mortgage rates remain low, mortgage demand will be strong.

RELEASE: ABC News/Money Magazine Consumer Comfort Index [United States] (-5)
FIRST TAKE: Consumer confidence fell two points this week, partially reversing last week’s gain. Remarkably, this is the first time the index has declined since early October.

RELEASE: Durable Goods (Advance) [United States] (0.0%)
FIRST TAKE: In a surprise disappointment, December durable goods orders fell marginally (by $100 million). November’s decline was revised to be less severe, now a 2.3% decline versus the 3.1% decline originally reported.

RELEASE: Business Employment Dynamics [United States] (7,510.0)
FIRST TAKE: The second quarter 2003 gross employment data indicate that both job losses and job gains slowed as the war in Iraq cast a pall over the economy. The economy created 7.5 million jobs while losing 7.7 million. Expanding and contracting establishments accounted for most of the activity, as opposed to new and closing firms.

RELEASE: New Home Sales (C25) [United States] (1,060,000)
FIRST TAKE: Consensus got it partially right this month, with sales of new homes declining in December to 1.060 million units. At -5.1%, the month-to-month change is deeper than expected, however, as Census revised upward November’s figure. December’s decline is the second in a row, but lower mortgage rates at the end of last year and the beginning of this year suggest that stronger sales could still be in the offing.

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales Snapshot [United States] (1.1%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales jumped 1.1% in the week ending January 24, following three consecutive weeks of decline according to the ICSC-UBS chain store sales index. Year-over-year growth improved to 4.4% after dropping to its lowest rate since last August in the previous week.

RELEASE: The Conference Board Consumer Confidence [United States] (96.8)
FIRST TAKE: The Conference Board index of consumer confidence rose about 5 points to 96.8 in January, more than reversing December’s decline. Both components of the index rose with the present situation index gaining slightly more. Improving labor markets likely contributed to the gain.

RELEASE: UBS Index of Investor Optimism [United States] (108.0)
FIRST TAKE: Investor optimism continues to advance, hitting a 22-month high in January. The gain was exclusively a product of investors’ improved outlook on their personal finances. The economic component fell this month.

RELEASE: Existing Home Sales [United States] (6.47 Million)
FIRST TAKE: Sales of existing homes advanced at a stronger than expected pace in December, rising by 7% from November to 6.47 million annualized units. This rise brings the pace of sales up to its second fastest ever. Falling mortgage interest rates at the end of last year are bolstering demand for homes again.

Week ending Jan 24

RELEASE: ECRI Weekly Leading Index [United States] (133.1)
FIRST TAKE: The six-month growth rate of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index (WLI) rose to 9.6% during the week ending January 16. Pushing the growth rate higher was a substantial increase in the index level, which climbed from 131.4 to 133.1.

RELEASE: Jobless Claims [United States] (341,000)
FIRST TAKE: Layoffs continue to abate. Initial jobless claims continue to decline, falling to 341,000 last week, following a total of 342,000 in the previous week. Continuing claims also continue to fall, declining to 3.14 million in the second week of January.

RELEASE: The Conference Board Leading Indicators [United States] (0.2%)
FIRST TAKE: The index of leading indicators improved by 0.2% in December, in line with expectations, though the November gain was revised down to 0.2% from 0.3%. December gains were driven by the continued decline in unemployment insurance claims, vendor performance, and rising equity prices and building permits.

RELEASE: Monthly Mass Layoffs [United States] (1,929)
FIRST TAKE: The monthly mass layoff data reported that employers initiated 1,929 mass layoff events involving 192,633 workers in December. The manufacturing industry continues to account for the largest portion of mass layoffs, while the Midwest region reported the highest number of initial claims for the second consecutive month.

RELEASE: MBA Mortgage Applications Survey [United States] (916.1)
FIRST TAKE: Mortgage rates fell again last week, and mortgage applications for purchase went through the roof, with the MBA purchase index easily setting a new record of 501.6. The refi index also spiked upward to its highest point since last August. The composite index advanced by 30%. As long as mortgage rates continue to move down, mortgage demand will be strong.

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales Snapshot [United States] (-0.7%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales retreated for the third consecutive week last week. The ICSC-UBS chain store sales index dropped 0.7% in the week ending January 17. Year-over-year growth fell to 3.9%, the weakest since last August.

RELEASE: New Residential Construction (C20) [United States] (2.09 million)
FIRST TAKE: Defying expectations, housing starts continue to escalate, with December starts advancing by 1.7% to 2.088 million units. Starts are at their highest point in about 20 years. The strength, however, is in multifamily construction, which surged. Single-family starts slowed slightly, declining by 0.6% from the previous month. Residential construction will be a strong force in the nation’s fourth quarter output.


RELEASE: ABC News/Money Magazine Consumer Comfort Index [United States] (-3)
FIRST TAKE: Like the surge in the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, the ABC News/Money Magazine consumer comfort index surged in the first half of January. With a four point gain this week, the index is now up six points since the year began.


RELEASE: NAHB Housing Market Index [United States] (68)
FIRST TAKE: The NAHB index slipped to 68 from 70 in the previous month. While builders remain optimistic over the new home market, thanks to still low mortgage interest rates, a strengthening economy and lean inventories, slower sales are dampening their recent euphoria.

Week Ending January 15

RELEASE: Business Inventories (MTIS) [United States] (0.3%)
FIRST TAKE: Business inventory data followed consensus expectations for November, with a gain in inventories accompanied by a slightly larger increase in sales. The total inventory-to-sales ratio remains unchanged at the record low 1.35. All in all, another positive report for the U.S. economy.

RELEASE: Industrial Production [United States] (0.1%)
FIRST TAKE: Growth in industrial production was surprisingly weak in December, rising by only 0.1%, though the gain of the previous month was revised higher to 1%. Most of the major market groups experienced modest declines this month, though manufacturing did expand by 0.3%. Despite the weak growth this month, the recovery in the industrial segment of the economy continues.

RELEASE: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey [United States] (103.2)
FIRST TAKE: The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index preliminary value for January was 103.2, up over 10 points from December. This puts confidence at its highest value since November 2000. Both components rose strongly.

RELEASE: ECRI Weekly Leading Index [United States] (131.3)
FIRST TAKE: The six-month growth rate of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index (WLI) stumbled again, falling from 9.2% to 8.9% during the week ending January 9. This comes despite a solid increase in the index’s level from 129.7 to 131.3.

RELEASE: California Manufacturing Survey [United States] (63.9)
FIRST TAKE: The California purchasing managers composite index rose for the second consecutive quarter in the fourth quarter to a very high figure of 63.9. The rise indicates a strong improvement in manufacturing conditions in California. Expanding production and a sharp rise in new orders were the primary reasons for the improvement in the fourth quarter.

RELEASE: GDP [Euro Zone] (0.3%)


RELEASE: NY Empire State Manufacturing Survey [United States] (39.2)
FIRST TAKE: The NY Empire State Manufacturing Survey reported that conditions continue to improve for manufacturers in the state during January as the general business conditions index reached a record high reading of 39.2, well above the consensus estimate of 34.5.

RELEASE: Jobless Claims [United States] (343,000)
FIRST TAKE: Fewer workers filed for jobless claims last week than was expected. Initial jobless claims fell to 343,000, continuing a downward trend, while the previous week’s total was revised to 354,000. The number of people filing for continuing claims fell sharply at the beginning of the year, to 3.13 million, suggesting that more workers may be finding new jobs.

RELEASE: Consumer Price Index [United States] (0.2%)
FIRST TAKE: The consumer price index rose 0.2% in December, meeting expectations. Core consumer prices, which omit volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.1% for the month. Core inflation remains 1.1% over the last year.

RELEASE: Retail Sales (MARTS) [United States] (0.5%)
FIRST TAKE: Total retail sales rose 0.5% in December, below expectations. However, November sales growth was revised upward 0.3 percentage points. Autos led the gain as non-auto sales grew only 0.1% for the month. Core sales grew 0.2% as gas station sales fell.

RELEASE: Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Survey [United States] (77%)
FIRST TAKE: The MAPI index of future business activity rose to 77 in December, the highest level the index has reached in the 31 years it has been calculated. The result indicates that manufacturing activity should rise in the next three to six months. Nearly all component indices rose, including an increase in the profit margins index to 66 from 45.

RELEASE: Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report [United States] (2,414 Bcf)
FIRST TAKE: Underground storage of natural gas decreased by 153 billion cubic feet during the week ending January 9, just in line with expectations.

RELEASE: Philadelphia Fed Survey [United States] (38.8)
FIRST TAKE: The recovery in the Third District’s manufacturing sector continues to make significant strides. January’s diffusion index for the Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey came in at 38.8, indicating a solid expansion in activity during the past month. The reading easily exceeded the 29.0 consensus estimate.

RELEASE: Treasury Budget [United States] (-$16.2 billion)
FIRST TAKE: The unified deficit for December was $16 billion, larger than CBO’s preliminary estimate of $13 billion. Through the first three months of fiscal year 2004, the federal government has run a cumulative deficit of $129 billion.

RELEASE: MBA Mortgage Applications Survey [United States] (702.6)
FIRST TAKE: According to the MBA, mortgage rates descended to near a record low last week, and the demand for mortgages responded with a sharp jump upward. The MBA index advanced by 17.1% to 702.6. The purchase index is approaching record territory. The refi index advanced strongly, but remains weak by comparison to the boom last spring. As long as mortgage rates move down, mortgage demand will be strong.

RELEASE: PPI [United States] (0.3%)
FIRST TAKE: Producer prices for finished goods rose by 0.3% in December, which was slightly faster than prior expectations. Excluding food and energy, prices for finished goods fell by 0.1%, and prices for intermediate goods rose by 0.1% on the month.

RELEASE: International Trade (FT900) [United States] (-$38.0 billion)
FIRST TAKE: The trade deficit narrowed during November. An increase in exports and a decrease in imports pushed the trade balance to -$38.0 billion after registering -$41.6 billion in the previous month. The improvement was better than expected, and reflects the adjustment of the U.S. external sector to the weak dollar.

RELEASE: ABC News/Money Magazine Consumer Comfort Index [United States] (-7)
FIRST TAKE: The ABC News/Money Magazine consumer comfort index was unchanged this week after rising two points in the previous week. The index is still at its highest level since July 2002 and two points above its historical average.

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales Snapshot [United States] (-0.4%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales retreated modestly for the second consecutive week last week. The ICSC-UBS chain store sales index dropped 0.4% in the week ending January 10. Year-over-year growth slipped to 4.9%, the weakest in five weeks.

RELEASE: Import and Export Prices [United States] (0.2%)
FIRST TAKE: Import prices rose 0.2% in December, less than was expected, as nonpetroleum import prices rose just 0.1%. Export prices also rose 0.2% for the month, a result that is likely to be reversed in January when the effects of mad cow disease fully enter the index.

RELEASE: Richmond Fed Manufacturing Survey [United States] (8)
FIRST TAKE: Manufacturing activity in the Fifth Federal Reserve District continued to grow in December. The shipments index fell three points to eight, but, with new orders, grew more rapidly than November. The employment advanced to zero, and the average workweek and wage indices improved. Expectations remain bright.

RELEASE: Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey [United States] (1)
FIRST TAKE: Manufacturing activity in the Tenth District strengthened during December and manufacturers’ expectations for future activity remained very high.

Week Ending Jan 10

RELEASE: Employment Situation [United States] (1,000)
FIRST TAKE: The labor market remains a glaring weakness in the nation’s recovery. Only 1,000 jobs were created in December on net, far below consensus estimates. Although the unemployment rate fell 20 basis points, to 5.7%, this occurred because of the decline in the labor force.

RELEASE: ECRI Future Inflation Gauge [N/A] (-1.6%)
FIRST TAKE: The U.S. Future Inflation Gauge (FIG) fell for the third month in a row in December to 113.5, after November’s figure was revised downward to 115.4. Other FIGs, which trail the U.S. by one month, either rose or held steady. The euro-zone and Canadian FIGs rose, the former including a rise in all four component country FIGs, while the U.K. and Japanese FIGs held steady.

RELEASE: ECRI Weekly Leading Index [United States] (129.7)
FIRST TAKE: The six-month growth rate of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index (WLI) stumbled again, falling from 9.6% to 9.2% during the week ending January 2. The index’s level remained unchanged at 129.7.

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales [United States] (4.2%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales rose 4.2% in December according to the ICSC chain store index, the best December (and holiday season) sales growth since 1999. Sales generally exceeded recent projections as the month ended strongly, although increased discounting resulted in weak profits. Luxury retailers continued to outperform discounters.

RELEASE: Jobless Claims [United States] (353,000)
FIRST TAKE: The number of people who filed for first-time unemployment benefits rose at the beginning of the year to 353,000 while the previous week’s tally was unchanged at 339,000. Continuing claims fell below 3.3 million for the third consecutive week.

RELEASE: Wholesale Trade (MWTR) [United States] (0.3%)
FIRST TAKE: The wholesale industry posted gains to both sales and inventories in November, conforming, for the most part, to consensus expectations. The report signals steady momentum for the industry’s recovery through the fourth quarter of last year.

RELEASE: Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report [United States] (2,567 Bcf)
FIRST TAKE: Underground natural gas storage decreased by 52 billion cubic feet during the week ending January 2. Storage declined at the lower end of expectations. The smaller-than-expected draw will have a modestly bearish impact on natural gas markets, but will be offset by expectations for colder weather in the days ahead.

RELEASE: Consumer Credit (G19) [United States] ($4.0 billion)
FIRST TAKE: Consumer credit outstanding advanced by $4.1 billion in November, slightly below consensus. October’s gain was revised up massively, to $8.3 billion from $900 million.

RELEASE: MBA Mortgage Applications Survey [United States] (599.9)
FIRST TAKE: Mortgage demand bounced back last week from the sharp decline of Christmas week. The MBA index advanced by 4.5% to 599.1. The purchase index has once again just crossed the 400 mark indicating very strong demand, while the refi index remains low at 1,755.4. The gains were achieved despite the fact that the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage moved up above 6%. Overall, the index is heading back to a downward trend, although continued volatility along this path is expected.

RELEASE: ABC News/Money Magazine Consumer Comfort Index [United States] (-7)
FIRST TAKE: The ABC News/Money Magazine consumer comfort index continues to advance, rising two points in the latest week. The index is now at its highest level since July 2002 and two points above its historical average.

RELEASE: Chain Store Sales Snapshot [United States] (-0.1%)
FIRST TAKE: Chain store sales gave back only a tiny fraction of the prior week’s strong gains as the holiday season continued to end strongly. The ICSC-UBS chain store sales index dropped 0.1% in the week ending January 3. Year-over-year growth improved marginally to 5.6%.

RELEASE: Challenger Report [United States] (93,020)
FIRST TAKE: U.S. companies are still downsizing despite the solid rebound in the nation’s economy. The number of announced job cuts fell to 93,020 in December, down from 99,452. Industrial goods producers, computer manufacturers and telecommunications providers accounted for the largest number of cuts.

RELEASE: Factory Orders (SIO or M3) [United States] (-1.4%)
FIRST TAKE: November factory orders were about as expected, falling 1.4%. The plunge in durable goods orders reported late last month was revised to a smaller figure and nondurable orders were marginally down. Conversely, shipments and unfilled orders rose again, while inventories fell again.

RELEASE: ISM Non-Mfg.Index [United States] (58.6)
FIRST TAKE: The ISM Non-Mfg Business Activity Index came in well below expectations for the second straight month, falling from 60.1% to 58.6% in December. In addition, this marks the first month since May that the index failed to surpass the 60% mark. Nonetheless, a 58.6% reading still indicates a healthy pace of expansion in the nation’s service-producing industries.

RELEASE: Semiconductor Billings [United States] (4.5%)
FIRST TAKE: Global semiconductor sales continue to climb. November chip sales rose 4.5% over the previous month and are up 17.4% year-to-date, supported by strong consumer electronics demand and computer sales.

RELEASE: Vehicle Sales - AutoData [United States] (18.0 Million)

RELEASE: Construction Spending (C30) [United States] (1.2%)
FIRST TAKE: Construction spending beat expectations in November, rising 1.2% versus the consensus estimate of 0.9% on the strength of homebuilding and public construction activity. October’s initial estimate was revised upward from 0.9% to 1.1%.

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