| Today's Economy
Wildfires Likely Won't Leave a Noticeable Mark on December U.S. Employment Initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in California don't show a clear impact. Economic Briefing: Japanese Exporters Keep Celebrating Exports are on track to make a sizeable contribution to Q4 GDP growth, similar to Q3. Economic Roundup: U.S. Factory Conditions Improve Manufacturers in New York are feeling sanguine about both the present and future. Venezuela Reaches Hyperinflation Threshold History indicates inflation will accelerate exponentially. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
U.S. Chartbook: Fed Tightens, Retail Brightens, Deficit Frightens Surprisingly strong holiday shopping is met with a Fed rate hike and deteriorating federal budget. U.S. Macro Outlook: A Plan That Doesn't Get It Done The tax cuts will add little to the economy in the long run, but will add significantly to deficits and debt load. Macro Roundup: Asia's Enthralling 2017 This year kept us on our toes; some downside risks will spill into 2018. U.S. Weekly Highlights and Preview, December 15, 2017 Plenty of economic data are coming, but most of the focus is on tax legislation. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
Italy
Foreign Trade
Oct. 2017: €5 billion
Italy’s merchandise trade surplus widened to €5 billion in October from €4.2 billion in October 2016 and from €4 billion a month earlier. A surge in exports to the EU boosted the surplus from a year earlier. Euro Zone
Consumer Price Index
Nov. 2017: 1.5%
Euro zone annual harmonized inflation accelerated to 1.5% in November from 1.4% in the previous month, in line with the preliminary estimates. Canada
International Transactions in Securities
Oct. 2017: C$20.8 bil
Foreign investors' appetite for Canadian assets is increasing, particularly for corporate bonds. World
Moody's Analytics Survey of Business Confidence
December 15: 38.2
Business confidence appears to be receiving a lift from the prospect of tax cuts in the U.S. United States
NAHB Housing Market Index
Dec. 2017: 74
Homebuilder sentiment rose 5 points to 74 in December. » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 
