Econ #s

Next week is a crazy week in terms of data releases. On Monday, the data docket is rather lackluster (do note, US markets are closed, but investors who trade non-US assets will still use this). Overnight, we will get the Italian Business Confidence Survey and after the close we get the Japanese...

I was recently able to get in touch with Credit Suisse's Chief Economist, Dr. Neal Soss, and ask him a few questions about his views on the economy. With financial markets being so macro driven over the last few years, it is crucial for investors to understand the macro picture and at least...

At 9:55am this morning, University of Michigan released Consumer Sentiment Index results of 79.3 compared to an estimated 77.6, the average of 60 estimates listed by Bloomberg. These results followed University of Michigan's May 11 preliminary estimate of 77.8 that was the highest reading in four...

Friday, May 25, 2012 This is your Benzinga news summary and trader's outlook covering headlines from overnight and today's pre-market session. Benzinga's Top News CME Group (NYSE: CME) Announces Five-for-One Stock Split Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) Enters Into Agreement to Sell Remaining...

The FT is out with their US econo-stat of the day and it is rather interesting: "vehicle purchases by consumers alone accounted for 30% of all the GDP growth in the last two quarters. Motor vehicle output is less than 3% of GDP. But its standard deviation is more than nine times the overall GDP's...

As is the case with so many emerging markets ETFs these days, the iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: ECH) is officially in bear market territory. Trading just above $59, ECH resides almost 24% below its 52-week high and there are other technical red flags to consider in the near...

The latest Greek polls have come out, and it is hard to make anything of it. The two that I am seeing are both signaling further deadlock and a lack of a majority. The first poll, conducted by Public Issue, has the radical left party Syriza with 30%, the New Republic (conservative party) at 26%,...

On Thursday morning at 10:30 ET, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its weekly report on natural gas stockpiles. Natural gas stockpiles increased 77 bcf, which was slightly lower than estimates, as analysts' anticipated an inventory build of 78 bcf. The commodity initially moved...

Durable Goods Orders are collected from results of the U.S. Census Bureau's Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders survey. This survey provides data on manufacturers' value of shipments, new orders, end-of-month unfilled orders, end-of-month total inventory and inventories by stage of...

Initial Jobless Claims measures the number of individuals filing for jobless benefits for the first time during the past week. A lower-than-expected reading is essentially better for the US job market, as more people remain in the workforce. Theoretically, less people applying for initial...