7/27: Metro Economic Update, DUFFY
Durable goods orders rebounded strongly in June
Overall orders for durable goods, items meant to last three years or more, increased 1.0 percent in June as demand for transportation equipment rebounded. Excluding transportation, orders rose 1.5 percent.
June trade in goods deficit rose 5.5 percent as imports outpaced exports
The international trade deficit was $68.3 billion in June, up 5.5 percent from $64.8 billion in May. Exports of goods for June were $141.9 billion, $2.2 billion less than May exports. Imports of goods for June were $210.3 billion, $1.3 billion more than May imports.
Bloomberg: Consumer confidence rises to highest level since February 2001 in weekly update
Americans’ confidence rose to the highest level since February 2001 on brighter assessments of the economy, with the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rising for the seventh straight week to 59.0 from 58.8.
Mortgage applications dip 0.2 percent, rates remain flat
The Market Composite Index decreased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, with purchase loans down 1.0 percent but refinances up 1.0 percent. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged at 4.77 percent.
Initial unemployment claims rise by 9,000 in weekly report
In the week ending July 21, initial unemployment claims were 217,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The 4-week moving average was 218,000, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week’s revised average.