International Trade Balance Level for December, 2006

The International Trade Balance Level for December, 2006 was released by The U.S. Commerce Department this morning:

Predicted: $ -59,800,000,000
Actual: $ -61,200,000,000

The "actual" figure above represents the balance of trade -- imports vs. exports -- between the United States and all other countries, and includes both goods and services. A negative number represents a trade deficit, while a positive number represents a trade surplus.

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 Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Consumer Credit Status Report for December, 2006 Released Today

The Consumer Credit status report for December, 2006 was released by the Fed earlier this afternoon:

Actual: +$6,000,000,000

The above figures represent the month-to-month change in total outstanding, installment-based consumer credit; includes car loans and credit cards.


Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report.

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U.S. Factory Orders Report for December, 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau this morning released their report on Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories & Orders -- also known as Factory Orders -- for December, 2006:

Predicted: +1.9%
Actual: +2.4%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in orders for both durable and nondurable goods made by from U.S. manufacturers. 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 Census Bureau report.

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New Home Sales for December, 2006

The December, 2006 New Home Sales report was released this morning:

Predicted New Home Sales for December, 2006: 1,050,000

Actual New Home Sales for December, 2006: 1,120,000

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November, 2006 New Home Sales (Revised): 1,069,000

December, 2005 New Home Sales: 1,259,000

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December, 2006 New Home Sales: Median Price: $235,000

December, 2006 New Home Sales: Average Price: $290,100


Compiled jointly by the U.S. Commerce Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the monthly New Home Sales report measures the number of newly-built homes with committed buyers for a given month.

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

The New Home Sales report is watched by economists and investors because it offers insight into the state of the U.S. housing market, and also provides data that can be used to predict sales of large household furniture and appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners and microwave ovens.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Durable Goods Orders Report for December, 2006 Released Today

The Durable Goods Orders report for December, 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: +3.0%
Actual: +3.1%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in orders for durable or hard goods for immediate or future delivery from U.S. manufacturers. Examples of durable goods: cars, microwave ovens, computers -- items that are built to last 3+ years.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure. The Durable Goods Orders report is produced by the Commerce Department.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Existing Home Sales for December, 2006

The Existing Home Sales report for December, 2006 was released by The National Association of Realtors® this morning:

Predicted: 6,250,000
Actual: 6,220,000

Median Price for A Preowned, Single-Family
Home In December, 2006: $222,000

Average Price for A Preowned, Single-Family
Home In December, 2006: $269,000


The U.S. Existing Home Sales report is a sales count of existing homes, co-ops and condominiums for a given month. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The monthly Existing Home Sales report is released on or around the 25^TH day of each month.

Click here to view the full NAR report.

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U.S. Retail & Food Services Sales Report for December, 2006

The Commerce Department this morning released advanced estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for December, 2006:

Predicted: +0.6%
Actual: +0.9%

Minus Auto Sales
Predicted: +0.5%
Actual : +1.0%


The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell durable & non-durable goods, and retailers that provide food & beverage services.

Retail & Food Services Sales since December, 2005: +5.4%.

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 report.

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of December 30, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on December 30, 2006:

Predicted: 315,000
Actual: 329,000

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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