Initial Claims increased to 410,000, for the week ending 02/12, higher than the expected increase to 396,000, after decreasing to 385,000, the revised level for the previous week. The 4-week moving average increased to 417,750, from the previous week’s revised average of 416,000. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment from the prior week, ending on 02/05, was 3,911,000, an increase of 1,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 3, 910,000. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate from the week ending on 02/05, was 3.1%, unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 3.1%.
The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.4% in January, higher than the expected increase of 0.3%, to an index value of 220.223 (1982-84=100), after increasing by 0.4% in December and 0.1% in November.Increases in indexes for energy commodities and for food accounted for over two thirds of the all items increase. Over the year the CPI has increased by 1.6% before seasonal adjustment. The food index increased by 0.5%, after increasing by 0.1% in December and 0.2% in November and is up by 1.8% over the year. Energy Prices increased by 2.1% after increasing by 4.0% in December and 0.1% in November and are up 7.3% over the year. The gasoline index rose 3.5% and has increased seven months in a row. Excluding food and energy prices, the Core CPI increased by 0.2%, after increasing by 0.1% in both November and December.
The Conference Boards’ Leading Indicators Index numbers are expected today at 10:00 AM EST. The index had increased by 1.0% in December to 112.4 (2004=100). The Coincident Index increased in December to 101.9 (2004=100) and the Lagging Index increased to 108.4 (2004=100).
Upcoming Releases
Leading Indicators (02/17 at 10:00 AM EST)
Consumer Confidence (02/22 at 10:00 AM EST)
Existing Home Sales (02/23 at 10:00 AM EST)
Durable Orders (02/24 at 8:30 AM EST)
