Eye On The US Economy: Week Of December 8th, 2014

The US Economic Calendar For The Week Of December 8, 2014

Assuming that the majority of Americans would like to keep an eye on their money, the US Economic Calendar for the week of December 8, 2014 is a great guide for anyone to have at their disposal!

With economic and political uncertainty currently more of the rule than exception, this weeks key economic releases may hold some extremely helpful clues concerning the strength of the US economy and, just as importantly, the future direction of interest rates.

Interest rates remain a critical cog not only for fixed income and equity investors, but for the overall strength of the real estate market and the ease of availability for the financing used to purchase it.

The US Economic Calendar

The economic data scheduled for release this week will provide investors and businesses with both anecdotal evidence about the direction that the US economy is heading along with actual data about its current condition.

The upcoming week is relatively quiet in terms of significant economic data releases, but some of the more relevant ones includes the MBA Purchase Applications, Business Inventories, Retail Sales and Wholesale Trade.

It will also be a quiet week for scheduled speeches by members of the Federal Reserve with only Dennis Lockhart scheduled to speak today, although impromptu comments or remarks by any of the Fed members can potentially occur at any time.

Finally, the markets will once again also be closely watching domestic political issues along with geopolitical hotspots that have the potential for serious flare-ups with global implications.

Nationally and Geopolitically, some issues to watch include:

• The continued scourge of ISIS who seem to have cobbled together an alliance with al-Qaeda,
• The continued decline in the global price of oil (WTI currently $63.50/barrel) and the impact that will have on oil producing nations like Russia and Saudi Arabia,
• Potential for ‘Lone Wolf’ terrorist attacks at home,
• Social unrest stemming from recent Grand Jury decisions,
• Potential for White House negotiations to result in a deal with Iran for cooperation in the fight against ISIS,
• US-Mexico border security.

To illustrate the second point concerning the impact the decline in the price of oil could potentially have, this is a monthly chart of the price of WTI since 2003 (Courtesy of Investing.com).

Courtesy of Econoday this is the chart of the US economic data to be released during the week of December 8, 2014 along with scheduled speeches by members of the Federal Reserve. The chart below also includes the upcoming treasury auction calendar!

Monday Dec 8 Tuesday Dec 9 Wednesday Dec 10 Thursday Dec 11 Friday Dec 12 Market Focus » International Perspective » Simply Economics » Labor Market Conditions Index 10:00 AM ET 4-Week Bill Announcement 11:00 AM ET 3-Month Bill Auction 11:30 AM ET 6-Month Bill Auction 11:30 AM ET TD Ameritrade IMX 12:30 PM ET Dennis Lockhart Speaks 12:30 PM ET NFIB Small Business Optimism Index 7:30 AM ET ICSC-Goldman Store Sales 7:45 AM ET Redbook 8:55 AM ET JOLTS 10:00 AM ET Wholesale Trade 10:00 AM ET 4-Week Bill Auction 11:30 AM ET 52-Week Bill Auction 11:30 AM ET 3-Yr Note Auction 1:00 PM ET MBA Purchase Applications 7:00 AM ET Quarterly Services Survey 10:00 AM ET EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET 10-Yr Note Auction 1:00 PM ET Treasury Budget 2:00 PM ET Weekly Bill Settlement Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET Import and Export Prices 8:30 AM ET Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index 9:45 AM ET Business Inventories 10:00 AM ET EIA Natural Gas Report 10:30 AM ET 3-Month Bill Announcement 11:00 AM ET 6-Month Bill Announcement 11:00 AM ET 5-Yr TIPS Announcement 11:00 AM ET 30-Yr Bond Auction 1:00 PM ET Fed Balance Sheet 4:30 PM ET Money Supply 4:30 PM ET PPI-FD 8:30 AM ET Consumer Sentiment 9:55 AM ET U.S. Equity Settlement 12-11-14 U.S. Equity Settlement 12-12-14 U.S. Equity Settlement 12-15-14 U.S. Equity Settlement 12-16-14 U.S. Equity Settlement 12-17-14

Important Legal Notice: Econoday has attempted to verify the information contained in this calendar. However, any aspect of such info may change without notice. Econoday does not provide investment advice, and does not represent that any of the information or related analysis is accurate or complete at any time. Legal Notices © 1998-2014 Econoday, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Actual Data Source: Haver Analytics |  Legal Notices © 1998-2014 Econoday, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Econoday Suggestion Box: We welcome your ideas on how we can serve you better.

Market Moving Indicator Merit Extra Attention Other Key Indicator Consensus Info Available Final Data and Analysis Available

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Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service, New York.

HAS is a provider of title insurance in New York State for residential and commercial real estate transactions specializing in the areas of New York City, Long Island and Westchester.

For anyone either buying a property or refinancing, remember that although your attorney will likely recommend a title insurance provider, you always have the right to choose your own title company (click here to learn more)!

If you have any questions you can reach Michael by email at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.