Producer Price Index (PPI) for October 2013

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for October 2013 was released this morning:

Predicted: -0.2%
Actual: -0.2%

Below is the PPI when food and energy are subtracted from the equation, also known as the "core PPI":

Predicted: +0.1%
Actual: +0.2%

The above numbers represent the month-to-month change in prices for a specific group of goods and capital equipment that producers buy in order to produce finished goods for consumers. The PPI is an important part of the overall inflation picture for the country because when costs go up for producers, producers will often pass those increased costs on to consumers.

The PPI is released by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The PPI is a family or amalgamation of indexes, including The:

• All Commodities Index
• Crude Energy Materials Index
• Crude Foodstuffs & Feedstuffs Index
• Crude Materials for Further Processing Index
• Finished Goods Index
• Finished Consumer Foods Index
• Finished Consumer Goods Index
• Finished Consumer Goods Excluding Foods Index
• Finished Energy Goods Index
• Finished Goods: Capital Equipment Index
• Finished Goods Excluding Foods Index
• Finished Goods Less Energy Index
• Finished Goods Less Food & Energy Index
• Fuels & Related Products & Power Index
• Industrial Commodities Index
• Intermediate Energy Goods Index
• Intermediate Foods & Feeds Index
• Intermediate Materials: Supplies & Components Index

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 16, 2013

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on November 16, 2013:

Predicted: 335,000
Actual: 323,000

Last Week (Revised): 344,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October 2013

Earlier this morning, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October 2013:

Predicted: +0.0%
Actual: -0.1%

Below is the CPI when food and energy are subtracted from the equation, also known as the "core CPI":

Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: +0.1%

The above numbers represent the seasonally adjusted, month-to-month change in prices for a specific group of goods and services that consumers buy, and is, therefore, a very important part of the overall inflation picture for the country.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

General categories that constitute the CPI are:

• Healthcare
• Housing
• Clothing
• Communications
• Education
• Transportation
• Food & Beverages
• Recreation
• Miscellaneous Goods & Services (grooming expenses, etc.)

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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Employment Situation Report for October 2013

The Employment Situation report for October 2013 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Unemployment Rate
Predicted: 7.3%
Actual: 7.3%

Non-farm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +120K
Actual: +204K

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: +0.1%

Average Workweek
Predicted: 34.5 hrs
Actual: 34.4 hrs

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money, b) unemployment is low and c) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

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ISM Manufacturing Index for October 2013

Earlier today, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released their Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) for October 2013:

Predicted: 55.0%
Actual: 56.4%

Every month, the ISM surveys purchasing and supply executives at hundreds of companies across the country who are involved in manufacturing in some form. The resulting index is watched closely by academics, economists and investors because manufacturing accounts for about 12% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The PMI is a reliable barometer of U.S. manufacturing: A PMI above 50% implies that U.S. manufacturing expanded during the month specified, while a reading below 50% implies that the factory sector contracted.

Last month, the PMI was 56.2%.

The following is a sampling of quotes from a diverse pool of U.S. manufacturers:

"...'New business is booming.' (Textile Mills)

    'The government shutting down and threatening to go into a default position is causing all kinds of concerns in our markets.' (Fabricated Metal Products)


    'The government shutdown has not had any impact on our business that I can determine, nor has it impacted any supplier shipments.' (Chemical Products)


    'Government spending continues to be slow in defense and military. The government shutdown and debt ceiling crisis did not affect business.' (Transportation Equipment)


    'Telecom market — wireless and VOIP — appear to be spiking. We are very busy; busier than we have ever been.' (Computer & Electronic Products)


    'Seasonal demand has not decreased at the typical pace. Market showing resiliency in the residential market.' (Primary Metals)


    'Business continues to improve every month for the past nine months.' (Furniture & Related Products)


    'Big Box Store discounting providing increased sales bump short term.' (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)


    'Our customers continue to be cautious and are closely managing their purchases. Business continues to be flat to slightly down.' (Machinery)


    'Outlook on general appliance market continues in a positive direction. Uncertainty, however, looms with unclear government direction pending.' (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)..."

Click here to view the complete ISM report.

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