Housing finance has bottomed out at a relatively high level after losing some altitude in the wake the central bank rate rise in early 2005.

270

House price inflation has picked up in recent months; if this continues it has positive implications for consumer spending via the wealth effect it provides to homeowners.

256

The data indicate that firms continue to struggle to pass higher costs through to consumers, with profit margins being squeezed as a result.

226

Rising business investment may have boosted demand for imported goods and stalled a further improvement in the trade deficit in January. We still are upbeat on exports, with commodity prices rising and strong global demand.

214

Economic growth is rebounding after the temporary weakness in the third quarter. Rising export prices are providing a huge boost to the economy, which is fueling profits and prompting companies to hire.

208

Following the accident, there's downside risks to exports in January, so the trade deficit may be wider than we expect.

173

Wages aren't at a level that's going to prompt the central bank to raise interest rates. We forecast the central bank will leave interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year.

165

The survey has provided a relatively good one-quarter lead on annual US GDP growth over the past 15 or so years - the correlation is 0.69.

137

This will show the labor market remains in good shape, despite several months of disappointing figures. The surge in mining exports from the favorable global environment is flowing through the economy.

116