Where the economy is heading

KEY INDICATORS Real growth, GNP 3rd Qtr. 82 2nd Qtr. 82 Past year Percent, annual rate 0.8 2.1 1.9 Index of leading indicators Latest Month ago Year ago Seasonally adjusted 130.4 129.7 130.8 'Discomfort' index Inflation + unemployment 12.5 13.1 22.3 Dow-Jones 30 industrials 1051.78 907.19 859.11 New York Stock Exch. Composite index 81.83 70.06 71.79 Unemployment Percent 10.4 10.1 8.4 Civilian employment Millions, seasonally adj. 99.1 99.7 100.2 Auto production Units 415,204 423,166 534,414 Average weekly wages in 1977 dollars $166.87 $167.39 $168.05 Housing starts Millions of units 1.146 1.002 0.899 Industrial production % change -0.58 -0.50 -1.30 Productivity 3rd Qtr 82 2nd Qtr 82 Last year % change, annual rate 4.0 1.4 1.8 Savings rate 3rd Qtr 82 2nd Qtr 82 Last year Percent of salary 6.9 6.7 6.4 Corporate profits 2nd Qtr 82 1st Qtr 82 2nd Qtr 81 Billions, after taxes $116.3 $115.0 $146.2 New plant & equipment 3rd Qtr 82 2nd Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 81 Invest., non-farm, bills. $320.24 $323.22 $3328.25 US crude oil inventories Latest Month ago Year ago 335 Million/barrels avg. 350 344 356 US crude oil production Millions/barrels/day 8.7 8.7 8.6 US oil imports Millions/barrels/day 3.6 3.6 4.3 PRICES Consumer price index Latest Jan.-Sept. 12-month % change, annual rate 2.1 4.8 4.9 Gasoline Latest Month ago Year ago Per gallon, unleaded $1.308 $1.322 $1.376 Home heating oil Per gallon $1.191 $1.195 $1.239 Wheat Per bushel $3.735 $3.62 $4.20 Gold Latest Month ago Year ago London close, oz. $417.50 $390.25 $429.50 Silver New York close, oz. $10.565 $8.055 $9.15 Existing homes Latest Prev. month Year ago Median US sales price $68,100 $68,900 $67,100 Implicit price deflator 3rd Qtr. 82 2nd Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 81 % change, annual rate 5.4 4.6 9.0 INTEREST RATES Prime rate This week Month ago Year ago Percent 11.50 13.500 17.50 AAA corporate bonds Percent yield 11.61 12.65 14.83 Treasury-bill rates 91-day, percent yield 7.813 8.102 12.695 Home mortgages Latest Month ago Year ago 25% down, 25 years Avg. 'quoted' rate 16.23 17.01 17.77 Avg. contract rate 15.73 16.50 17.26 New car loans Avg. %, 5 Boston banks 18.75 18.75 19.00 Money market funds 7day 30-day 12-month Percent, avg. yield 8.81 9.07 13.71

Sources 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.