Where the economy is heading
KEY INDICATORS Real growth, GNP 4th Qtr. 82 3rd Qtr. 82 Past year Percent, annual rate -1.9 0.7 -1.1 Index of leading indicators Lates Month ago Year ago Seasonally adjusted 146.3 141.2 135.1 'Discomfort' index Inflation + unemployment 14.9 15.3 15.9 Dow Jones 30 industrials 1140.96 1077.91 807.55 New York Stock Exch. Composite index 88.63 84.29 63.50 Unemployment Percent 10.4 10.4 8.8 Civilian employment Millions, seasonally adj. 99.06 99.1 99.7 Auto production Units 490,807 432,756 323,992 Average weekly wages In 1977 dollars $170.16 170.11 165.93 Housing starts Millions of units 1.72 1.22 0.95 Industrial production % change 0.9 -0.1 -1.8 Productivity 4th Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 82 Last year % change, annual rate 2.0 3.5 2.0 Savings rate 4th Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 82 Last year Percent of salary 5.8 6.9 6.5 Corporate profits 3rd Qtr 82 2nd Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 81 Billions, after taxes $119.4 $116.3 $150.8 New plant & equipment 4th Qtr 82 3rd qtr 82 3rd Qtr 81 Invest., non-farm, bills. $315.21 $315.79 $327.83 US crude oil inventories Latest Month ago Year ago 335 Million/barrels avg. 364 362 380 US crude oil production Millions/barrels/day 8.7 8.6 8.7 US oil imports Millions/barrels/day 1.8 3.2 2.7 PRICES Consumer price index L e Latest Month ago Year ago Per gallon, unleaded $1.1.228 $1.260 $1.358 Home heating oil Per gallon $1.194 $1.229 $1.254 Wheat Per bushel $4.095 $4.065 $4.2175 Gold Latest Month ago Year ago London close, oz. $412.50 $498.50 $346.50 Silver New York close, oz. $10.26 $14.13 $7.485 Existing homes Latest Prev. month Year ago Median US sales price $68,300 $67,800 $66,400 Implicit prrice deflator 4th Qtr 82 3rd Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 % change, annual rate 3.7 5.0 8.8 INTEREST RATES Prime rate This week Month ago Year ago Percent 10.50 11.00 16.50 AAA corporate bonds Percent yield 11.61 12.08 14.59 Treasury-bill rates 91-day, percent yield 7.944 8.122 12.450 Home mortgages Latest Month ago Year ago 25% down, 25 years Avg. 'quoted' rate 13.48 13.76 16.83 Avg. contract rate 13.92 14.22 17.34 New car loans Avg. %, 5 Boston banks 17.13 17.63 19.40 Money market funds 7-day 30-day 12-month Percent, avg. yield 7.76 7.80 11.90
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 Departent Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Labor Department Bureau of Labor Sstatistics, US Department of Treasury.