Event News | "Key economic events for the week of May 7"

By: Press Release
Category: Event News
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com

The Federal Reserve Board of Governors starts the week with a release of data on how the amount of consumer credit changed in March. Any growth in consumer credit would suggest that more individuals may be gearing up for larger purchases, stimulating economic activity.

 Analysts expect to see that consumer credit expanded by $9.7 billion in March. In February data, released last month, consumer credit grew by $8.7 billion, slower than analysts had predicted.

Wednesday

 

The National Federation of Independent Businesses releases the latest data from its Small Business Optimism Index, based on a survey of how small businesses feel about the state of the economy. The survey gauges small businesses’ plans to make new hires or increase inventory. Analysts expect the index to come in at 92.9, a slight increase from the 92.5 index reported in April. 

Thursday

 

At 8:30 a.m., the Labor Department plans to release its figures on new jobless claims for the previous week. The consensus forecast is that 370,000 people filed for unemployment during the period — a slight increase over the previous week. 

Friday

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics issues new data on the Producer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices of goods and services.

Analysts expect the PPI data, which covers April, to show no change over the previous month. Keep in mind, however, that could mask various ups and downs in prices of specific goods. 

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/key-economic-events-for-the-week-of-may-7/2012/05/04/gIQAYKpc6T_story.html