Industrial production was down 0.1% in May.  The CPI declined 0.3% in May as the core index rose 0.2%.  The PPI fell 1.0% in May as the core index rose 0.2%.  The U.S. Treasury reported a deficit of $124.6 billion in May.  Retail sales were down 0.2% in May.  The current account balance widened 15.7% in April.  Business inventories were up 0.4% in April.  Initial jobless claims rose 6,000 to a level of 386,000 for the week ended 6/9. 

• Industrial production unexpectedly edged down 0.1% in May.  The slight decline was due in part to a slowdown in the output of cars.
• The topline consumer price index declined 0.3% in May; the core CPI rose 0.2%. 
• The topline producer price index declined 1.0% in May; the core PPI increased 0.2%.
• The U.S. Treasury reported a deficit of $124.6 billion in May.
• Retail sales declined 0.2% in May.  Excluding autos, sales were down 0.4%.
• The U.S. current account deficit widened by a greater-than-expected $13.2 billion (15.7%) to $137.3 billion in the 1^st quarter of 2012. At 3.6% of GDP, this marks the largest deficit since the 4^th quarter of 2008.  The deficit is expected to continue to rise this year due to weakness abroad; some European nations have slipped into recession and growth has slowed in countries like China.
• Business inventories were up 0.4% in April.
• Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to a level of 386,000 for the week ended June 9^th.