Statistics and Indicators

High Energy Prices Could Affect U.S. Economy, Greenspan Says

Views potential changes as significant but not as extensive as those in 1970s

27 April 2004

A sustained and dramatic rise in energy prices could significantly affect the long-term prospects for the U.S. economy, says Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. central bank. In April 27 remarks at a policy research organization in Washington, Greenspan said that persistent high oil and natural gas prices could change business investment decisions as well as the magnitude and manner of energy consumption in the United States.    » read more »

Fears over U.S. Dollar Plunging Unwarranted, Central Banker Says

Federal Reserve's Ferguson describes more orderly adjustment scenarios

23 April 2004

A Federal Reserve governor has rebutted speculation that the growing U.S. imbalances in trade and investment could lead to a disorderly, damaging correction where a sharp drop in the foreign exchange value of the dollar would cause sharp drops in stock and bond prices. "I have seen little evidence to suggest that this scenario is likely, notwithstanding its popularity," said Roger Ferguson, vice chairman of the U.S. central bank.    » read more »

Treasury's Taylor Says Global Growth Remains G-7 Priority

Previews finance ministers' meetings April 23-24

22 April 2004

Finance ministers and central bank governors of the world's seven largest economies will likely focus on boosting global economic growth when they meet April 23-24 in Washington, Treasury Under Secretary John Taylor says. The officials of the Group of Seven (G-7) countries -- France, Italy, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada -- are also likely to repeat an earlier statement cautioning against excess volatility in currency markets, Taylor said during a G-7 preview for reporters in Washington April 22.    » read more »

U.S. Trade Deficit in February Narrows as Exports Rise Sharply

Bilateral deficit with China down 28 percent for the month

14 April 2004

By Bruce Odessey
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The U.S. trade deficit dropped in February as U.S. exports surged 4 percent from the previous month, the largest monthly increase in seven years, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports. In an April 14 report, the department calculated the February deficit at a seasonally adjusted $42.1 billion, down from the revised January record deficit of $43.5 billion. The February deficit comprised a goods deficit of $47.2 billion and a services surplus of $5.2 billion.    » read more »

Integrated Trade Policies Would Have Global Benefits, Experts Say

Fewer trade barriers also would help raise incomes

April 8, 2004

Better integration of trade polices among developed countries, combined with removal of tariff and other trade barriers, would raise annual global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2.1 percent, or $557 billion, according to a new study released by a leading economic research institute in Washington.    » read more »

Increasing Diversity Predicted in U.S. Population

Hispanic and Asian populations both poised to triple

18 March 2004

The U.S. Census Bureau is looking into the future, finding that Hispanics and Asians are going to increase their proportions of the overall U.S. population by 2050.    » read more »

Federal Reserve Leaves Key U.S. Interest Rate Unchanged

Central bank says it can be patient before raising rates
16 March 2004

The policymaking group of the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. central bank, has voted unanimously to hold its key interest rate at the current nine-month low level as the U.S. economy continues to grow.    » read more »

Treasury Department's International Capital (TIC) Data for January

March 15, 2004
Press Release

Treasury International Capital data for January are released today and posted on the U.S. Treasury web site (www.treas.gov/tic). The next release date, which will report on data for February, is scheduled for April 15, 2004.    » read more »

U.S. Trade Deficit Up Second Consecutive Month in January

Exports down in part due to foreign bans on U.S. beef

March 10, 2004

The U.S. trade deficit increased to another record in January, the second consecutive monthly rise, as both exports and imports decreased from December 2003.    » read more »

Number of Discouraged Workers, 1994 to Present

Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Median Weeks Unemployed, 1994 to Present

Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Average Weeks Unemployed, 1994 to Present

Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Number of Unemployed for 27 Weeks or Over, 1994 to Present

Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes, January, 2004

Friday, February 13, 2004

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
- JANUARY 2004 -    » read more »

Productivity and Costs, Fourth Quarter and Annual Averages 2003, Revised

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2004

PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS
Fourth Quarter and Annual Averages, 2003

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor today reported revised fourth-quarter seasonally-adjusted annual rates of productivity change-as measured by output per hour of all persons-and revised annual changes for the full year 2003.    » read more »