U.S. Review
Data Details Show Economy Continues to Firm
• Second quarter GDP was revised higher to a 4.2 percent annualized rate, with the details painting a brighter picture of the economy. Compared to the first release, trade was less of a drag, nonresidential fixed investment was stronger and
inventories provided a smaller—although still sizeable—boost.
• Headlines for housing data were mixed this week, but reports generally suggest the sector continues to gradually improve as home prices are increasing at more reasonable rates, supply is coming back and future recorded sales look to improve.
• Consumers’ willingness to spend remains somewhat questionable, with personal spending slipping 0.1 percent.
Global Review
Canada Firming as Europe Struggles and Japan Falters
• Real GDP in Canada grew at a 3.1 percent annualized rate in the second quarter as a 3.0 percent increase in final domestic demand and a boost from trade offset a 1.9 percent drag from slower inventory investment. See our website for complete write-up on this week’s Canadian GDP report.
• In the International Review on page 4, we look at what the latest signal of slow growth in Europe means for ECB policy as well as how the Japanese economy is faring in the wake of the deleterious effects of the April consumption tax hike.
Read the full report: Economic Research