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America’s trading shortfall improved in May 2018 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Our nation’s goods and services deficit dropped $3.0 billion to $43.1 billion from April’s downwardly revised tally (originally $46.2 billion).  This improvement put the monthly trade gap at its narrowest reading since October 2016.

Clairvoyance is not part of the Atlas investment algorithm.  Endeavoring just to interpret current data is challenge enough.  In fact, since various agencies and institutions revise past data with some regularity, even seeing the past sometimes proves difficult.  Nevertheless, we do have a crystal ball and dusted it off at the most recent pie party to make some bold predictions.&

May 2018’s iteration for income and outlays from the Bureau of Economic Analysis is one of the most interesting we have seen in a while.  Both components of the report improved, and consumers actually increased their savings rate, but none of that captured Atlas’ intrigue.  Instead, inflation data stole the show. 

First quarter 2018 economic output was more moderate than earlier estimates suggested according to the Final Revision to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).  Their latest calculation indicates an annualized growth rate of 2.0 percent, downwardly revised from 2.2 percent in the second tally and 2.3 percent in the initial estimate.  In sum, output sl

Orders for goods expected to last longer than three years deteriorated in May 2018 according to the Census Bureau.  Their report on Durable Goods Orders fell 0.6 percent, worsening for a second consecutive period.  April’s tally dropped a revised 1.0 percent (originally minus 1.7 percent).

Americans face many health risks.  Overindulge at Pie Parties, diabetes could become an issue.  Spend too much time in the sun, skin cancer might develop.  Sleep deprivation leaves people less responsive to stimuli, making nearly every activity more dangerous.  Fortunately, there is a remedy for the last issue, more shut-eye.

Sales of new homes moved higher in May according to the Census Bureau.  On a seasonally adjusted basis, transactions reached 689,000 units.  This demonstrates an increase of 6.4 percent from April and 14.1 percent above the tally from a year ago.  New home sales are helping push our economy ahead.

Sales of existing homes moved higher in May according to the Census Bureau.  On a seasonally adjusted basis, transactions reached 689,000 units.  This demonstrates an increase of 6.4 percent from April and 14.1 percent above the tally from a year ago.  New home sales are helping push our economy ahead.

Economic output slowed in May 2018 according to the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI).  After reaching an upwardly revised +0.42 in April (originally +0.34), it declined to -0.15 in the middle of the second quarter.  Unfortunately, this lower monthly tally hurt the three-month moving average which dropped to +0.18 from +0.48 to start the quarter.