Where the economy is heading
KEY INDICATORS Real growth, GNP 1st Qtr. 82 4th Qtr. 81 Past year Percent, annual rate -3.7 -4.5 -2.1 Index of leading indicators Latest Month ago Year ago Seasonally adjusted 127.7 127.3 136.0 'Discomfort' index Inflation & unemployment 21.5 12.4 16.0 Dow-Jones 30 industrials 798.90 804.03 949.30 New York Stock Exch. Composite index 61.78 63.63 73.99 Unemployment Percent 9.5 9.5 7.4 Civilian employment Millions, seasonally adj. 99.8 100.1 101.05 Auto production Units 564,308 487,563 708,029 Average weekly wages In 1977 dollars $169.41 168.54 171.98 Housing starts Millions of units 1.086 0.881 1.172 Industrial production % change -0.21 -0.78 +0.53 Productivity 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 Last year % change, annual rate 0.54 -6.9 0.9 Savings rate 1st Qtr 81 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. 356 368 403 US crude oil production Millions/barrels/day 8.7 8.7 8.6 US oil imports Millions/barrels/day 4.0 4.1 4.1 PRICES Consumer price index Latest Jan.-May 12-month % change, annual rate 12.0 3.5 6.8 Gasoline Latest Month ago Year ago Per gallon, unleaded $1.237 $1.225 $1.400 Home heating oil Per gallon $1.171 $1.162 $1.267 Wheat Per bushel $3.60 $4.0825 $4.14 Gold Latest Month ago Year ago London close, oz. $311.00 330.25 $403.75 Silver New York close, oz. $5.635 $6.405 $8.27 Existing homes Latest Prev. month Year ago Median US sales price $67,900 $67,500 $66,300 Implicit price deflator 1st Qtr 82 4th Qtr 81 1st Qtr 81 %change, annual rate 3.8 9.5 9.8 INTEREST RATES Prime rate This week Month ago Year ago Percent 16.50 16.00 20.50 AAA corporate bonds Percent yield 15.08 14.59 14.08 Treasury-bill rates 91-day, percent yield 12.806 11.480 14.400 Home mortgages Latest Month ago Year ago 25% down, 25 years Avg. 'quoted' rate 17.17 17.28 16.82 Avg. contract rate 16.65 16.77 16.35 New car loans Avg. %, 5 Boston banks 19.00 19.00 17.2 Money market funds 7-day 30-day 12-month Percent, avg. yield 13.17 13.08 15.61
Sources for tables
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.
