Manufacturing, Construction up at year end.

Initial Jobless Claims

– New Claims (seasonally adjusted) 339,000. Previous was 341,000
– New Claims (not seasonally adjusted) totaled 443,513 an increase of 25,875 from the previous week.
– 4-week Moving Average (seasonally adjusted) 357,250

The story here is that the adjustments for jobless claims during the Christmas season make reading the data impossible.

PMI Manufacturing Index (December 2013)

– Index level 55.0. Previous was 54.7

This is a survey index and this reading is a plus for both GDP and jobs.

ISM Manufacturing Index (December 2013)

– Index level 57.0. Previous was 57.3

This comes from a survey of purchasing managers and reinforces the data showing a healthier manufacturing sector at year-end.

 
Construction Spending (November 2013)

– Construction Spending Month/Month 1.0%. Previous was +0.9%
– Construction Spending Year/Year 5.9%

Private residential construction spending was +1.9% (month/month).