Where the economy is heading
KEY INDICATORS Real growth, GNP 1st Qtr. 82 4th Qtr. 81 Past year Percent, annual rate -4.3 -4.5 -2.1 Index of leading indicators Latest Month ago Year ago Seasonally adjusted 124.4 125.0 135.8 'Discomfort' index Inflation & unemployment 12.4 5.7 12.4 Dow-Jones 30 industrials 828.77 844.49 991.75 New York Stock Exch. Composite index 65.18 66.95 76.99 Unemployment Percent 9.4 9.0 7.3 Civilian employment Millions, seasonally adj. 99.3 99.5 100.9 Auto production Units 487,563 467,656 649,808 Average weekly wages In 1977 dollars $168.54 $168.90 $172.18 Housing starts Millions of units 0.881 0.947 1.301 Industrial production % change -0.56 -0.77 -0.13 Productivity 4th Qtr 81 3rd Qtr 81 Last year % change, annual rate -7.2 -1.0 1.0 Savings rate 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 Last year Percent of salary 5.5 6.1 5.3 Corporate profits 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 4th Qtr 80 Billions, after taxes $118.8 $144.0 $164.3 New plant & equipment 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 1st Qtr 81 Invest., non-farm, bills. $330.34 $327.83 $312.24 US crude oil inventories Latest Month ago Year ago 335 Million/barrels avg. 368 372 405 US crude oil production Millions/barreles/day 8.7 8.7 8.5 US oil imports Millions/barrels/day 3.5 2.7 3.9 PRICES Consumer price index Latest Jan.-Mar. 12-month % change, annual rate 3.0 1.5 6.5 Gasoline Latest Month ago Year ago Per gallon, unleaded $1.225 $1.284 $1.412 Home heating oil Per gallon $1.162 $1.208 $1.280 Wheat Per bushel $4.0825 $4.2675 $4.41 Gold Latest Month ago Year ago London close, oz. $330.25 $375.00 $472.00 Silver New York close, oz. $6.405 $7.120 $10.265 Existing homes Lates Prev. month Year ago Median US sales price $67,500 $67,000 $66,400 Implicit price deflator 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 1st Qtr 81 % change, annual rate 3.5 9.5 9.8 INTEREST RATES Prime rate This week Month ago Year ago Percent 16.00 16.50 20.50 AAA corporate bonds Percent yield 14.20 14.25 14.05 Treasury-bill rates 91day, percent yield 11.480 12.469 16.750 Home mortgages Latest Month ago Year ago 25% down, 25 years Avg. 'quoted' rate 17.39 17.51 15.53 Avg. contract rate 16.87 17.00 15.01 New car loans Avg. %, 5 Boston banks 19.00 19.50 16.60 Money market funds 7-day 30-day 12month Percent, avg. yield 13.65 13.68 15.83
Source for table
Tables and graphs above are based on data from the American Petroleum Institute, Board of Trade of Kansas City, Comex Inc., Donoghue's Money Fund Report of Holliston, Ma 01746, Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Federal Reserve Board, Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, Moody's Investor Service, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, National Association of Realtors, New York Stock Exchange, US Census Bureau, US Commerce Department Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Treasury. Census Bureau, US Commerce Department Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Treasury.
