posted 10-06-2000 05:16 PM         

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The September unemployment report was released today, showing a much higher than expected 252,000 new jobs. Wall Street analysts had predicted 225,000. The report also indicated that the unemployment rate fell to a 30-year low of 3.9% (from 4.1%), and that hourly wages increased $0.03 to $13.83. (source: CNNfn) http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2000/10/06/economy/economy

The nation's households will pay about $200 more to heat their homes this winter because of higher fuel prices and short supplies, the federal Energy Information Administration predicted today. And a long, severe siege of winter weather could push those costs even higher, the agency said. (source: Washington Post) http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24778-2000Oct6.html

posted 10-04-2000 06:17 PM         

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In brief:

- Orders placed with U.S. manufacturers rebounded modestly in August, powered by strong demand for aircraft and electronic components, according to government figures released Wednesday.

posted 10-03-2000 06:18 PM         

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As widely expected, the Fed has held key US interest rates at 6.5% for the third straight meeting, saying that its satisified with the growth of the economy. The bank did say that inflation continues to be a threat, with possible causes in a tight labor market and rising energy costs. (source: MarketWatch) http://www.marketwatch.com/archive/20001002/news/current/fed.htx

New home sales slipped in August from their torrid pace a month earlier, while the index of leading economic indicators posted its fourth consecutive monthly decline, according to two separate economic reports released Tuesday. (source: CNNfn) http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2000/10/03/economy/economy/

posted 09-27-2000 05:48 PM         

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August orders for durable goods rose by 2.9%, the Commerce Department reported today. The increase stands in stark contrast to the record drop of 13.1% last month, and pushes the year-to-date increase to 9.0%. (source: Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26963-2000Sep27.html

In Brief:
- Consumer price inflation has been slightly higher over the past year than officially reported because of a calculating glitch at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, government sources said. The gaffe does not radically change the numbers reported.

posted 09-25-2000 06:21 PM         

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Crude oil prices fell sharply Monday after President Clinton's pledge to release fuel from the U.S. strategic reserve to ease the price pinch ahead of the high-demand winter season. (source: Washington Post) http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11194-2000Sep25.html

In Brief:
- Sales of existing homes rebounded sharply in August, rising at their fastest rate in more than a year, according to a trade group report Monday.
- The euro was higher against the U.S. dollar in Asian trade Monday after the Group of Seven (G7) nations signaled over the weekend that further intervention on the behalf of the euro could not be ruled out.

posted 09-20-2000 05:57 PM         

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The Fed's Beige Book showed more signs of economic slowing in early September. (source: Washington Post) http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45003-2000Sep20.html

As one of the world’s great currency experiments unravels on the world’s foreign exchange stage, focus is intensifying on the future of Europe’s single currency and next week’s referendum in Denmark that will determine whether that small country will hitch its fate to a sputtering venture. The consensus is that the Danes will vote “no,” choosing not to join the European Union’s single currency, and jolting the continent into a period of self analysis. (source: MSNBC) http://msnbc.com/news/463276.asp

In brief:
- The U.S. trade deficit soared to a record $31.9 billion in July as oil prices climbed to a 10-year high. America set record deficits with China, Japan, Western Europe and Canada.

posted 09-19-2000 06:34 PM         

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In brief:

- In the latest of economic news indicating a cooling economy, as the August Housing Starts report (number of new homes beginning construction) came in lower than expected.

posted 09-18-2000 05:24 PM         

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Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan spoke before the American Bankers Association today, discussing the rapidly-changing banking industry. His focus was on the effects of technology on industry operations and federal regulations. (source: The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27862-2000Sep18.html

In Brief:
- October crude oil futures peaked at $37 a barrel in trading Monday, their highest price in 10 years. Rising oil prices are attributed to the fear of an impending worldwide energy crunch.

posted 09-15-2000 05:39 PM         

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The overall consumer price index, the most closely watched gauge of inflation, fell for the first time in 14 years this past August, dropping .1%. Must of the drop was due to decreased energy costs. The core consumer price index, which excludes energy and food, rose by .2%, the increase that analysts expected for both types of CPI. (source: The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11834-2000Sep15.html

Crude oil jumped back above $35 a barrel today as fears of a long-term energy crunch grow. (source: theStreet.com) http://thestreet.com/brknews/energy/1082522.html

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