The Producer Price Index is down by 0.6% in September to 173.4 (1982=100), was expected to decrease by 0.1%, following an increase of 1.7% in August and a 0.9% decline in July. Over the year, the index has decreased by 4.8%. The index for energy goods is down by 0.1% in September and prices for consumer foods declined by 2.4%. Excluding food and energy prices, Core PPI fell by 0.1% after a 0.2% increase in the previous month.
Housing Starts in September grew by 0.5% to an annual pace of 590,000, less than the expected 608,000 pace, from the downwardly revised 587,000 in August (originally reported at 598,000). Over the year the figure has declined by 28.2% from the September 2008 rate of 822,000. Building Permits declined by 1.2%, over the month to 573,000, less than the expected 597,000 level, following 580,000 permits annualized in August. Over the year, Building Permits fell by 28.9% from the 806,000 pace in September 2008.
Upcoming Releases
Fed’s Beige Book (10/21 at 2:00 PM EST)
Initial Claims (10/22 at 8:30 AM EST)
Leading Indicators (10/22 at 10:00 AM EST)
Existing Home Sales (10/23 at 10:00 AM EST)
