Housing Starts in January increased by 2.8% to an annual pace of 591,000, more than the expected 585,000 pace, from the revised figure of 575,000 in December (originally reported at 557,000). Over the year the figure has increased by 21.1% from the January 2009 rate of 488,000. Building Permits decreased by 4.9%, over the month to 621,000, more than the expected 603,000 level, following 653,000 permits annualized in December. Over the year, Building Permits increased by 16.9% from the 531,000 pace in January 2009.
Industrial Production increased by 0.9% in January to an index value of 101.1 (2002=100), better than the expected increase of 0.8% following a 0.7% increase in December, revised upwards from an originally reported 0.6% increase. Over the year, the industrial production index is up by 0.9%. Capacity Utilization was reported at 72.6%, an increase from the 72% level in December, but 8.0 percentage points below its average for the period from 1972 through 2009. In January 2009, Capacity Utilization was measured at 71.1%.
Today at 2:00 PM EST, the Department of Treasury will release the balance of the Treasury Budget for January, with an anticipated deficit of $46 billion, following the reported $91.8 billion deficit in December.
Upcoming Releases
Treasury Budget (02/17 at 2:00 PM EST)
Initial Claims (02/18 at 8:30 AM EST)
PPI (02/18 at 8:30 AM EST)
Crude Inventories (02/18 at 10:30 AM EST)
