Decreasing Commodity Prices Impact Imports/Exports

Import and Export Prices  (October 2015)

– Import Prices month/month -0.5%. Previous was -0.6%
– Export Prices month/month -0.2%. Previous was -0.6%
– Import Prices year/year  -10.5%. Previous was -10.7%
– Export Prices year/year  -6.7%. Previous was -7.4%.

There are many stories behind this data:  lower commodity prices, a stronger dollar, weakening growth in world GDP.  Changing commodity prices have disparate effects on various nations.

 
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (October 2015)

– level (seasonally adjusted) 96.1. Previous was 96.1.

This is a survey index conducted each month by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of its members.

The biggest problem small businesses face is finding people qualified for their open jobs.

Redbook Chain Store Sales (week ended 11/7/2015)

– Chain Store Sales year/year +1.1%. Previous was +1.9%.

Wholesale Trade (September 2015)

– Inventories +0.5%. Previous was +0.3%.

This is a GDP component. The positive reading is a good sign for 4thQ GDP.