Day of macro daises for the US economy, which rears its head. The most important number is certainly the one concerning the stars and stripes GDP: in the third quarter, growth was revised downwards from 2% in the second preliminary estimate a month ago to 1,8%. Analysts were expecting confirmation of growth at 2%. Despite the negative adjustment, the growth recorded in the third quarter is the largest since the beginning of the year.
ECONOMIC SUPERINDEX UP 0,5%
As regards the US economic super-index, it recorded a slight increase in November (+0,5%), which follows the 0,9% growth recorded in October. Thus ends the seventh consecutive month of growth. The data recorded is better than forecasts by analysts, who had estimated an increase of just 0,3%. Seven out of the ten super-index components improved over the past month.
The strongest contribution came from the spread on interest rates and on requests for new building permits. Also noteworthy is the component that measures current expectations on the economy, which increased by 0,1% last month, after growing by 0,2% in October. The one that measures future expectations rose instead by 0,1%, after an increase of 0,6% relative to the previous month.
MICHIGAN INDEX, CONSUMER CONFIDENCE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED
Positive news also comes from the University of Michigan consumer confidence index, which rose to 69,9 from 64,1. Economists interviewed by the Dow Jones agency expected an increase to 68 points. The index relating to the perception of current economic conditions rose to 79,6 from 77,9 and that on expectations from 63,6 from 61,1.
All three indices are at their highest since June. The University of Michigan surveys see inflationary expectations for 2012 stable at 3,1%, while for the next 5-10 years the estimate is 2,7%, also unchanged.
