Weekly Economic Update: December 5-9, 2011
The ISM services index fell 0.9 point to 52.0 in November. The U.S. trade deficit narrowed 1.6% to $43.5 billion in October. Consumer credit increased 0.3% in October. Factory orders were down 0.4% in October. Initial jobless claims fell 14,000 to a level of 381,000 for the week ended 12/3.
- The ISM services index declined 0.9 point to 52.0 in November.
- The U.S. trade deficit narrowed $0.7 billion (1.6%) to $43.5 billion in October.
- Consumer credit increased $7.6 billion (0.3%) to $2.457 trillion in October. Revolving credit (primarily credit cards) edged up $366 million while nonrevolving credit increased $7.3 billion. Total consumer credit in October was back up to a level last seen (prior to the decline that began in August of 2008) in the summer of 2007.
- Factory orders fell 0.4% in October.
- Initial jobless fell 14,000 to 381,000 for the week ended December 3rd.