Where the economy is heading
KEY INDICATORS Real growth, GNP 4th Qtr. 81 3rd Qtr. 81 Past year Percent, annual rate -5.2 1.4 1.6 Index of leading indicators Latest Month ago Year ago Seasonally adjusted 12.9 127.0 134.2 'Discomfort' index Inflation & unemployment 12.0 12.1 14.8 Dow-Jones 30 Industrials 838.57 825.82 1009.01 New York Stock Exch. Composite index 66.22 65.14 78.57 Unemployment Percent 9.0 8.8 7.3 Civilian employment Millions, seasonally adj. 99.5 99.6 100.4 Auto production Units 200,776 279,825 294,922 Average weekly wages In 1977 dollars $168.39 $164.96 170.32 Housing starts Millions of units 0.953 0.894 1.294 Productivity 4th Qtr. 81 3rd Qtr. 81 Last year Percent of salary 6.0 5.2 5.3 Net farm income 4th Qtr. 81 3rd Qtr. 81 4th Qtr. 80 Billions, 1967 dollars 8.5 8.9 7.6 Corporate profits 4th Qtr. 81 3rd Qtr 81 4th Qtr 80 Billions, after taxes $137.2 $156.3 $164.3 New plant & equipment 4th Qtr. 81 3rd Qtr. 81 4th Qtr. 80 Invest., nonfarm, bills. $332.1 $328.3 $299.6 US crude oil inventories Latest Month ago Year ago 335 Million/barrels avg. 381 385 391 US crude oil production Millions/barrels/day 8.7 8.6 8.6 US oil imports Millions/barrels/day 2.7 3.5 4.1
PRICES Consumer price index Latest Jan.-Feb. 12-month % change, annual rate 3.0 3.2 7.7 Gasoline Latest Month ago Year ago Per gallon, unleaded $1,334 $1,358 $1.382 Home heating oil Per gallon $1.248 $1.254 $1.260 Wheat Per bushel $4.22 $4.255 $4.560 Gold Latest Month ago Year ago London Close, oz. $327.75 $362.60 $498.91 Silver New York close, oz. $7.13 $7.795 $12.12 Existing homes Latest Prev. month Year ago Median US sales price $67,900 $66,800 $64,100 Implicit price deflator 4th Qtr 81 3rd Qtr 81 4th Qtr 80 % change, annual rate 8.4 9.9 10.7
INTEREST RATES Prime rate This week Month ago Year ago Percent 16.50 16.50 17.00 AAA corporate bonds Percent yield 14.64 14.84 13.35 Treasury-bill rates 91day, percent yield 13.399 12.430 12.501 Home mortgages Latest Month ago Year ago 25% down, 25 years Avg. 'quoted' rate 17.50 17.33 15.34 Avg. contract rate 16.99 16.99 16.81 14.92 New car loans Avg. %, 5 Boston banks 19.40 19.400 16.60 Money market funds 7-day 30-day 12-month Percent, avg. yield 13.51 13.44 16.00
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.
