What is Macro Pulse?

Macro Pulse highlights recent activity and events expected to affect the U.S. economy over the next 24 months. While the review is of the entire U.S. economy its particular focus is on developments affecting the Forest Products industry. Everyone with a stake in any level of the sector can benefit from
Macro Pulse's timely yet in-depth coverage.


Saturday, April 7, 2012

February 2012 Personal Income and Outlays, Retail Sales and Consumer Debt

Click image for larger view

Bureau of Economic Analysis data showed that personal income increased $28.2 billion (0.2 percent), and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $18.9 billion (0.2 percent) in February. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $86.0 billion (0.8 percent). Real (inflation-adjusted) DPI decreased 0.1 percent while real PCE increased 0.5 percent.
 
Click image for larger view

Click image for larger view

Consumers bumped up spending on retail goods in February by a seasonally adjusted 1.1 percent. Two-thirds of growth in retail sales was due to rising gasoline and auto sales; general merchandise sales declined 0.1 percent, due to the substitutionary effects caused by inflation.
 
Click image for larger view

Total consumer debt outstanding rose by a seasonally adjusted $8.7 billion (4.2 percent annualized). Revolving (mostly credit card) debt fell by $2.2 billion (3.3 percent annualized), while non-revolving debt (mainly student and auto loans) increased by $10.9 billion (7.7 percent annualized). In February, seasonal adjustments changed declines in both revolving and non-revolving loans into increases. Even student loans, which have risen every month since January 2008, were virtually nonexistent.
 
Click image for larger view

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.