The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand, seasonally adjusted, increased 0.4% in January.
News in end use
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decline in the Week Ending February 8
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 213,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week’s revised total.
US Consumer Price Index Rises 3.0% Year-Over-Year in January
The index for shelter rose 0.4% in January, accounting for nearly 30% of the monthly all items increase. The energy index rose 1.1% over the month.
US Mortgage Applications Increase in the Week Ending February 7
Mortgage loan application volume increased 2.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, MBA reported.
US Existing-Home Buyers Seeing Largest Discounts in Nearly Two Years
The typical home is selling for 1.8% less than its asking price, the biggest discount in nearly two years, Redfin reported.
Value of Canadian Building Permits Increases 11.0% in December
The total value of building permits rose 11.0% to $13.1 billion (CAD) in December. On a constant dollar basis (2017=100), the value of building permits issued grew 8.8%.
MBA Mortgage Credit Availability Index Rises in January
The MBA Mortgage Credit Availability Index rose 2.5% in January to a reading of 99.0.
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index Retreats in January
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 2.3 points to a reading of 102.8 in January. Even with the decline, this marks the third consecutive month above the 51-year average of 98.
US Residential Vacancies and Homeownership Statistics for Q4
The rental vacancy rate of 6.9% was not statistically different from Q3 (6.9%). The homeowner vacancy rate of 1.1% was not statistically different Q3 (1.0%).
US Existing-Home Sales Slump Just as More New Listings Hit the Market
New listings of US homes for sale rose 7.9% year-over-year during the four weeks ending February 2, the biggest increase since the end of last year, Redfin reported.