Key Economic Indicators – February 25, 2013

  • Housing starts in January were down 8.5% from December, but were up 23.6% from January 2012.
  • January existing home sales were up 0.4% from the previous month, and were up from January 2012. The median sales price of existing houses sold was $173.6 thousand, 12.3% above January 2012.
  • The housing market index of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo decreased a point to 46 in February.
  • The results of Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed average fixed mortgage rates changing little over past four weeks.
  • The producer price index for finished goods (headline index) increased 0.2% in January, while the core index increased 0.2%. The producer price index for finished goods increased 1.4% from January 2012 to January 2013.
  • The consumer price index (headline index) held steady in January, while the core index increased 0.3%. The consumer price index increased 1.6% for the 12-month period ending in January, while the core index rose 1.9%.
  • The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance increased 20 thousand to 362 thousand in the week ending February 16.
  • Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.2% from December to January.
  • The Philadelphia FED business outlook survey for February reported that manufacturing activity continued to decline.
  • The Conference Board index of leading economic indicators increased 0.2%, while the coincident index increased 0.4%.

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