greenbooks · September 19, 2006
Greenbook/Tealbook
Prefatory Note
The attached document represents the most complete and accurate version available
based on original files from the FOMC Secretariat at the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
Please note that some material may have been redacted from this document if that
material was received on a confidential basis. Redacted material is indicated by
occasional gaps in the text or by gray boxes around non-text content. All redacted
passages are exempt from disclosure under applicable provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act.
Content last modified 02/09/2012.
Confidential (FR) Class III FOMC
September 15, 2006
CURRENT ECONOMIC
AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Supplemental Notes
Prepared for the Federal Open Market Committee
by the staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Contents
The Domestic Nonfinancial Economy ........................................................ 1
Consumer Prices ..............................................................................1
Personal Income and Consumer Spending ......................................4
Industrial Production........................................................................4
Business Inventories ........................................................................7
Tables
Consumer Price Measures................................................................2
Producer Price Measures..................................................................2
Household Sector .............................................................................5
Selected Components of Industrial Production................................6
Capacity Utilization .........................................................................6
Nonfarm Inventory Investment......................................................10
Charts
Measures of Expected Inflation .......................................................3
Michigan SRC Index of Consumer Sentiment.................................5
Indicators of High-Tech Manufacturing Activity ............................8
Indicators of Industrial Activity.......................................................9
Inventory Ratios Excluding Motor Vehicles .................................10
ISM Customer Inventories: Manufacturing ..................................10
The Domestic Financial Economy .........................................................11
Table
Commercial Bank Credit ...............................................................11
Selected Financial Market Quotations ...........................................12
The International Economy ....................................................................13
Prices of Internationally Traded Goods .........................................13
Non-Oil Imports.............................................................................13
-ii-
Oil ..................................................................................................13
Exports ...........................................................................................13
Table
Prices of U.S. Imports and Exports................................................16
Chart
Prices of U.S. Imports and Exports................................................15
Supplemental Notes
The Domestic Nonfinancial Economy
Consumer Prices
The consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in August, down from the much larger
increases seen, on average earlier this year; smaller increases in energy prices and in
housing costs last month contributed to the moderation. As a result, the three-month
change in the CPI moved down from 5.7 percent in May to 3.6 percent in August. Over
the twelve months ending in August, the overall CPI rose 3.8 percent, up ¼ percentage
point from a year earlier. Excluding food and energy, the CPI rose 0.2 percent in August
for a second consecutive month. The three-month change in the core CPI was 3 percent
in August while the twelve-month change stood at 2.8 percent.
The index for consumer energy prices rose only 0.3 percent in August, as increases in
gasoline prices early in the month were almost completely offset by the sharp downturn
in prices over the remainder of the month. Available survey data for gasoline point to a
sizable decline in the CPI for gasoline in the September. Consumer food prices rose
0.4 percent in August, reflecting a large increase in the prices for fresh vegetables and a
rebound in the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.
Prices of core goods rose 0.2 percent in August, after having slipped 0.1 percent in the
preceding month. Both the decline in July and the rebound in August were driven by
swings in nondurable goods; in particular, apparel prices moved up 0.9 percent in August
after having fallen 1.2 percent the month before. Compared with a year earlier, core
goods prices were 0.6 percent higher, about the same as the increase in the preceding
year.
Prices of core services rose 0.2 percent last month, down from the increases of
0.4 percent per month posted in each of the previous three months. Rent of shelter rose
0.2 percent in August; the increase in owners’ equivalent rent slowed to 0.3 percent, and
the index for lodging away from home declined. Prices for non-energy services have
moved up 3.7 percent since August 2005, compared with an increase of 2.7 percent in the
preceding year.
The chained CPI or C-CPI-U rose 3.4 percent during the twelve months ending in
August, 0.4 percentage point less than the change in the official index. The
corresponding change in the core C-CPI-U was 2.7 percent, 0.1 percentage point less than
the official core CPI.
-1-
-2Consumer Price Measures
(Percent change)
12-month change
3-month change
1-month change
Annual rate
Monthly rate
Aug.
2005
Aug.
2006
May
2006
Aug.
2006
July
2006
Aug.
2006
CPI
Total
Food
Energy
Ex. food and energy
Core commodities
Core services
Chained CPI (n.s.a.) 1
Ex. food and energy 1
3.6
2.2
20.2
2.1
.7
2.7
3.0
1.8
3.8
2.4
15.1
2.8
.6
3.7
3.4
2.7
5.7
.6
35.0
3.8
1.7
4.4
...
...
3.6
3.5
9.4
3.0
.6
4.0
...
...
.4
.2
2.9
.2
-.1
.4
...
...
.2
.4
.3
.2
.2
.2
...
...
PCE prices 2
Total
Food
Energy
Ex. food and energy
Core commodities
Core services
Core market-based
Core non-market-based
3.0
1.9
20.8
2.0
.0
2.9
1.7
3.4
3.2
2.4
15.9
2.5
.2
3.4
2.1
n.a.
4.8
1.8
40.4
3.1
1.4
3.8
3.0
3.3
2.9
3.0
10.3
2.3
-.3
3.4
2.0
n.a.
.3
.2
3.2
.1
-.2
.3
.1
.3
.2
.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
.2
n.a.
Measures
1. Higher-frequency figures are not applicable for data that are not seasonally adjusted.
2. PCE prices in August are staff estimates.
... Not applicable.
Producer Price Measures
(Percent change)
12-month change
Measures
PPI
Total finished goods
Food
Energy
Ex. food and energy
Core consumer goods
Capital equipment
Intermediate materials
Ex. food and energy
Crude materials
Ex. food and energy
July
2005
July
2006
4.7
1.4
15.4
2.8
3.0
2.6
6.8
4.6
7.9
-2.7
4.2
1.1
16.3
1.3
1.3
1.4
8.9
7.9
6.6
34.4
3-month change
1-month change
Annual rate
Monthly rate
Apr.
2006
.5
-7.4
3.3
2.6
2.7
2.5
1.7
3.8
-33.1
39.6
July
2006
June
2006
July
2006
3.3
2.9
10.0
.8
.5
1.4
9.7
11.1
14.2
43.3
.5
1.4
.7
.2
.2
.3
.7
.8
-1.7
1.7
.1
-.3
1.3
-.3
-.3
-.2
.5
.7
3.1
1.3
-3-
Measures of Expected Inflation
Survey Measures (Michigan SRC)
12
Percent
Percent
12
Quarterly
10
10
8
8
5
Monthly
4
4
Sep.
Sep.
3
Median, 5 to 10 years ahead
6
Q3
2
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Inputs to Models of Inflation
2005
2
2
1
1
4
2
Median, 12 months ahead
0
1970
0
0
12
5
2005
Percent
Quarterly
10
0
2006
Percent
10
8
5
Quarterly
4
4
8
3
FRB/US long-run expectations measure
for CPI inflation*
6
3
6
4
Q4
2
2
1
1
4
Distributed lag of
core CPI inflation**
2
Q4
2
0
0
0
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2005
2006
* For 1991 forward, the median projection for CPI inflation over the next 10 years from the Survey of Professional Forecasters;
for 1981 to 1991, a related survey conducted by Richard Hoey; and for the period preceding 1981, a model-based estimate constructed
by Board staff.
** Derived from one of the reduced-form Phillips curves used by Board staff.
Inflation Compensation from TIPS
5
5
4
4
Weekly
4
3
5 to 10 years ahead
3
3
Q3
2
Next 5 years
2
Sep. 12
0
2
2
1
1
0
Percent
Percent
Quarterly
4
3
3
6
4
12
5
1
1
0
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2005
2006
Note. Based on a comparison of an estimated TIPS yield curve to an estimated nominal off-the-run Treasury yield curve, with an
adjustment for the indexation-lag effect since March 2004.
0
-4-
According to the preliminary reading for September from the Michigan Survey Research
Center’s (SRC) survey, both year-ahead and longer-term inflation expectations fell back
from their elevated readings in August. The median of expected inflation over the next
twelve months moved down from 3.8 percent to 3.1 percent. Expected inflation over the
next five to ten years moved down from 3.2 percent to 2.9 percent, its average over the
past ten years.
Personal Income and Consumer Spending
Nominal sales in the retail control group of stores rose a modest 0.2 percent in August
following a downward-revised gain of 0.6 percent in July. Across types of stores,
changes in nominal spending were mixed in August. Some―such food and beverage
stores and food services outlets―posted solid gains, while others―such as gasoline
stations and furniture and home furnishing outlets―saw moderate declines. We now
estimate that real outlays in the control category of personal consumption expenditures
increased 0.2 percent in July and edged down 0.1 percent in August.
The preliminary report from the Michigan SRC showed that consumer sentiment rose in
early September from an August level that was held down by a slump in the first half of
the month. The increase in early September reflected a strengthening in the “expected
conditions” component of the overall index that more than offset a weakening in the
“current conditions” component of the overall index. Among those items not included in
the overall sentiment index, consumers’ expectations about the change in unemployment
over the next twelve months improved noticeably. In addition, the appraisal of buying
conditions for cars edged up, while the appraisal of buying conditions for homes edged
down.
Industrial Production
Industrial production edged down 0.1 percent in August, and its manufacturing
component moved sideways after having risen 0.4 percent in July. In August, the output
of motor vehicles and parts increased 1.0 percent. Excluding motor vehicles and parts,
manufacturing production edged down 0.1 percent; in the previous two months, gains
averaged ¾ percent. The output of mines dipped 0.3 percent in August, mainly because
crude oil and natural gas extraction decreased. 1 The output of utilities also fell in August
as electricity usage moderated following several months of above-average temperatures.
1
The decline in crude oil and natural gas extraction reflected, at least in part, the production cuts at
Prudhoe Bay.
-5-
Household Sector
Retail and Food Services Sales
(Percent change from preceding period; seasonally adjusted current dollars)
2005
Q4
Category
Total sales
Retail control1
Ex. sales at gasoline stations
Memo:
Real PCE control2
Q1
Annual rate
2006
Q2
June
July
Aug.
Monthly rate
2.2
6.9
7.8
13.4
8.9
9.4
3.3
8.1
4.9
-.5
.2
.2
1.4
.6
.5
.2
.2
.4
4.8
8.7
1.1
.0
.2
-.1
1. Total sales less outlays at building material and supply stores and automobile and other motor
vehicle dealers.
2. Total goods spending excluding autos and trucks. Values for June, July, August, and Q2 are
staff estimates.
Michigan SRC Index of Consumer Sentiment
105
1966 = 100
105
100
100
95
95
90
90
Sep.(p)
85
85
80
80
75
75
70
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
70
-6Selected Components of Industrial Production
(Percent change from preceding comparable period)
Proportion
2005
Component
2006
20051
(percent)
Q1
2006
Q2
June
Annual rate
Total
Previous
July
Aug.
Monthly rate
100.0
100.0
3.0
3.0
5.1
5.1
6.6
6.2
1.1
.8
.4
.4
-.1
...
80.8
73.7
68.9
4.2
4.4
2.9
5.3
5.9
5.2
5.1
5.4
4.3
.9
.7
.6
.4
.8
.8
.0
-.1
-.2
Mining
Utilities
9.8
9.5
-6.8
2.9
26.3
-14.3
10.4
15.9
.9
2.6
.6
1.0
-.3
-.8
Selected industries
High technology
Computers
Communications equipment
Semiconductors2
4.8
.8
1.2
2.8
25.7
12.0
25.4
29.9
15.2
10.6
30.5
10.0
20.9
16.3
39.2
14.2
2.4
1.4
1.6
3.0
1.3
1.2
.1
1.9
.3
1.4
-2.2
1.3
Motor vehicles and parts
7.1
2.3
-.2
2.2
3.2
-4.9
1.0
Market groups excluding
energy and selected industries
Consumer goods
Durables
Nondurables
21.0
4.1
16.9
2.3
2.6
2.2
.9
-2.5
1.7
2.7
-.4
3.5
.3
.1
.3
.7
.7
.8
-.1
.3
-.2
Business equipment
Defense and space equipment
8.0
2.0
9.6
9.2
8.4
6.7
13.1
3.9
1.2
.7
2.7
.9
.3
.3
Construction supplies
Business supplies
4.4
7.8
6.5
2.7
3.1
3.7
-1.0
3.7
.2
.6
.7
.6
-.1
-.6
24.4
13.7
10.7
.6
3.6
-3.1
9.7
9.0
10.6
4.3
6.2
1.8
.4
.4
.3
.5
.8
.1
-.2
-.1
-.4
Manufacturing
Ex. motor veh. and parts
Ex. high-tech industries
Materials
Durables
Nondurables
1. From fourth quarter of preceding year to fourth quarter of year shown.
2. Includes related electronic components.
... Not applicable.
Capacity Utilization
(Percent of capacity)
19722005
average
19942005
high
200102
low
2005
Q4
Q1
Q2
July
Aug.
Total industry
81.0
85.0
73.9
80.5
81.1
82.0
82.7
82.4
Manufacturing
Ex. motor veh. and parts
Mining
Utilities
79.8
79.9
87.3
86.7
84.5
84.3
89.0
93.7
72.0
71.8
85.6
83.7
79.8
79.8
82.7
86.9
80.3
80.5
87.9
83.5
80.8
81.0
90.4
86.5
81.2
81.7
91.9
89.3
81.0
81.4
91.7
88.5
Stage-of-process groups
Crude
Primary and semifinished
Finished
86.4
82.1
77.9
89.4
88.1
80.5
83.2
74.6
70.8
81.3
82.6
78.3
85.8
82.3
78.9
88.2
82.9
79.7
89.3
84.0
79.9
89.1
83.6
79.8
Sector
2006
-7-
The production of high-technology products edged up just 0.3 percent in August
following more rapid gains in the previous three months. Computer production
continued at a sluggish pace, increasing 1.4 percent. The production of communications
equipment appears to be moderating following large gains in the first half of the year:
After little change in July, the output of communications equipment fell 2.2 percent last
month. Semiconductor production also rose more slowly in August, as a decrease in the
output of printed circuit boards and printed circuit assemblies subtracted from the gains
among producers of semiconductor chips.
Coming on the heels of widespread strength, the rates of change in production for market
groups excluding energy, motor vehicles and parts, and high-technology products fell
back or decelerated in August. The output of durable consumer goods rose while the
production of nondurable consumer goods edged down 0.2 percent. The gains in
business equipment slowed, increasing 0.3 percent in August after July’s upwardly
revised rate of 2.7 percent while the output of defense and space equipment rose
0.3 percent. The output of materials slipped 0.2 percent in August, and the production of
business supplies fell 0.6 percent. The output of construction supplies also edged down,
as decreases in plastics, air conditioners, and several wood-related series offset increases
in the output of construction steel, concrete products, paving and roofing materials, and
electric lighting equipment.
The factory operating rate edged down 0.2 percentage point in August, to 81.0 percent,
but it is still 1.2 percentage points above its 1972-2005 average. Operating rates also fell
in August for both mining and utilities. By stage of process, the rates at the crude stage
of processing decreased for the first time this year; the rates for primary and semifinished
processing and for finished processing also slipped.
Business Inventories
The book value of inventories in manufacturing and trade, excluding motor vehicles and
parts, increased at an annual rate of $81 billion in July after having risen $110 billion in
June. The inventory-sales ratio in this category ticked up to 1.19 months in July.
-8-
Indicators of High-Tech Manufacturing Activity
Communications Equipment and Computer IP
U.S. Personal Computer and Server Sales
2000 = 100, ratio scale
145
135
125
115
Aug.
Computers
1.0
Millions of units, ratio scale
Millions of units, ratio scale
0.9
18
17
Q3
16
Q2
0.8
105
95
85
15
0.7
0.6
14
PCs (right scale)
13
75
0.5
Servers (left scale)
12
65
Communications equipment
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
55
2006
0.4
Capital Expenditures by Telecommunications
Service Providers
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Note. FRB seasonals. Q3 value is a Gartner forecast for PCs.
Source. Gartner.
11
CIO Magazine IT Hardware Future Spending
Diffusion Index
Index
Billions of dollars, ratio scale
130
120
110
100
90
80
Annual average
2006 guidance
75
75
Last month of each quarter
70
70
June
65
65
60
60
60
50
55
55
40
50
50
30
45
45
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Note. The average of diffusion indexes for future spending
on computer hardware, data networking equipment, telecom
equipment, and storage systems.
Source. CIO Magazine. Monthly through 2005. As of 2006,
the survey is collected only on the last month of each quarter.
70
Q2
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Note. FRB seasonals. Does not include capital expenditures
of cable television companies.
Source. SEC filings.
Rate of Change in Semiconductor
Industrial Production
Bookings and Billings for Semiconductor
Equipment
1.6
Billions of dollars
1.8
July
1.6
1.4
1.4
Percent
14
12
14
3-month moving average
12
10
10
MPUs
8
8
6
6
4
4
2
Aug.
0
-2
Non-MPU chips
1.2
Orders
1.2
2
0
-2
-4
-6
1.8
1.0
Shipments
0.8
1.0
0.8
-4
2002
2003
2004
2005
Note. MPU is a microprocessor unit.
2006
-6
0.6
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Note. FRB seasonals.
Source. Semiconductor Equipment and Materials
International.
0.6
-9-
Indicators of Industrial Activity
Motor Vehicle Assemblies
Energy IP
Millions of units
14
Millions of units
0.6
0.5
2002 = 100
106
Medium and heavy trucks
(left scale)
13
+
0.4
106
Petroleum refining
102
102
98
98
94
Sept.
0.3
90
Aug.
Natural gas extraction
90
12
86
0.2
0.0
86
Crude oil
82
+
11
0.1
Autos and light trucks
(right scale)
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Note. September values are based on latest industry
schedules.
10
82
78
78
74
74
70
70
July Jan. July Jan. July Jan. July Jan. July Jan.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
New Orders: ISM, FRB New York, and
FRB Philadelphia Surveys
Utilities Output
2002 = 100
116
112
94
Diffusion index
116
112
Electricity
108
75
ISM
70
108
Aug.
104
65
104
100
100
96
96
92
92
88
88
Natural gas
84
84
80
80
76
Jan. July Jan. July Jan. July Jan. July Jan. July Jan.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
76
Sept.
60
55
Aug.
FRB Philadelphia
50
45
FRB New York
40
2003
2004
2005
2006
Note. The diffusion index equals the percentage of
respondents reporting greater levels of new orders plus
one-half the percentage of respondents reporting that
new orders were unchanged.
IP: Business Equipment and
Construction Supplies
Capacity Utilization by Stage of Processing
135
2002 = 100, ratio scale
135
125
125
Percent of capacity
92
Crude
Business equipment
87
Aug.
Aug.
115
82
115
77
105
105
Primary and semifinished
72
Construction supplies
Finished
95
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Note. Data exclude energy, motor vehicles and parts,
and high-technology industries.
95
1998
2000
2002
2004
Note. Horizontal lines are 1972-2005 averages.
2006
67
- 10 Nonfarm Inventory Investment
(Billions of dollars; seasonally adjusted annual rate)
2005
Measure and sector
2006
Q4
Q1
38.6
23.4
15.2
Manufacturing and trade ex. wholesale
and retail motor vehicles and parts
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade ex. motor vehicles & parts
Retail trade ex. motor vehicles & parts
Book-value inventory investment
(current dollars)
Manufacturing and trade ex. wholesale
and retail motor vehicles and parts
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade ex. motor vehicles & parts
Retail trade ex. motor vehicles & parts
Real inventory investment
(chained 2000 dollars)
Total nonfarm business
Motor vehicles
Nonfarm ex. motor vehicles
Q2
May
June
July
36.8
8.5
28.3
56.1 e
3.2 e
52.9 e
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
16.9
.5
9.9
6.6
22.7
7.6
7.9
7.2
38.9 e
12.9 e
19.0 e
7.0 e
44.7 e
3.6 e
23.7 e
17.4 e
34.6 e
10.8 e
15.3 e
8.6 e
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
56.2
23.3
20.7
12.2
53.3
23.5
17.9
12.0
109.1
48.3
43.2
17.5
116.2
39.7
48.6
27.9
110.2
52.6
38.9
18.7
80.5
36.4
33.4
10.7
e Staff estimates of real inventory investment based on revised book-value data.
n.a. Not available.
Source. For real inventory investment, BEA. For book-value data, Census Bureau.
ISM Customer Inventories:
Manufacturing
Inventory Ratios ex. Motor Vehicles
Months
1.9
1.8
1.9
Index
60
60
55
55
1.8
Staff flow-of-goods system
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.6
Aug.
1.5
50
Average, 1996 to present
50
1.5
Aug.
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.1
45
40
40
1.3
Census book-value data
1.2
45
July
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Note. Flow-of-goods system covers total industry ex.
motor vehicles and parts, and inventories are relative
to consumption. Census data cover manufacturing and
trade ex. motor vehicles and parts, and inventories are
relative to sales.
1.2
1.1
35
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
35
Note. A number above 50 indicates inventories are "too high."
The Domestic Financial Economy
- 11 -
Commercial Bank Credit
(Percent change, annual rate, except as noted; seasonally adjusted)
Type of credit
Total2
2004
2005
Q1
2006
Q2
2006
July
2006
Aug.
2006
Level
Aug. 2006
8.9
10.5
10.8
12.9
12.0
5.4
7,782
Loans3
Total
To businesses
Commercial and industrial
Commercial real estate
9.7
11.6
11.2
11.9
11.1
8.7
5,777
1.2
11.7
13.2
17.1
14.7
16.1
17.5
14.6
17.5
14.5
29.3
9.0
1,146
1,389
To households
Residential real estate
Revolving home equity
Consumer
Originated4
Other5
15.7
43.8
8.8
6.0
7.4
12.0
13.3
3.1
.5
8.4
6.3
2.8
3.1
8.3
16.4
8.8
-2.7
10.2
5.6
7.9
14.5
17.5
3.2
3.3
-3.5
-6.9
-10.4
8.8
6.6
13.4
1,726
447
728
1,102
788
6.6
5.2
4.9
5.7
7.6
5.3
.0
13.3
9.6
7.4
8.4
6.1
15.6
18.3
8.0
32.2
14.5
7.8
10.9
3.7
-4.2
2.7
7.0
-2.7
2,006
2,154
1,218
936
Securities
Adjusted2
Reported
Treasury and agency
Other6
Note. Yearly annual rates are Q4 to Q4; quarterly and monthly annual rates use corresponding average levels. Data
are adjusted to remove estimated effects of consolidation related to FIN 46 and for breaks caused by reclassifications.
1. Billions of dollars. Pro rata averages of weekly (Wednesday) levels.
2. Adjusted to remove effects of mark-to-market accounting rules (FIN 39 and FAS 115).
3. Excludes interbank loans.
4. Includes an estimate of outstanding loans securitized by commercial banks.
5. Includes security loans and loans to farmers, state and local governments, and all others not elsewhere classified.
Also includes lease financing receivables.
6. Includes private mortgage-backed securities, securities of corporations, state and local governments, foreign
governments, and any trading account assets that are not Treasury or agency securities, including revaluation gains
on derivative contracts.
Bank Profitability
C&I Loan Rate Spreads*
All Banks
Basis points
Percent
250
Percent
2.0
Quarterly
20
Quarterly, SAAR
Weighted
average
200
Q3
Return on equity
(right scale)
1.5
15
Q2
150
1.0
10
Return on assets
(left scale)
Adjusted
weighted
average**
100
0.5
Q3
5
50
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
* Spread over banks’ estimated cost of funds.
** Adjusted for changes in nonprice loan characteristics.
Source. Survey of Terms of Business Lending.
1993
1996
Source. Call Report.
1999
2002
2005
- 12 III-T-1
Selected Financial Market Quotations
(One-day quotes in percent except as noted)
2004
2005
Change to Sept. 14 from
selected dates (percentage points)
2006
Instrument
June 28
Dec. 30
Aug. 7
Sept. 14
2004
June 28
2005
Dec. 30
2006
Aug. 7
1.00
4.25
5.25
5.25
4.25
1.00
.00
1.36
1.74
3.99
4.22
4.99
5.00
4.82
4.92
3.46
3.18
.83
.70
-.17
-.08
Commercial paper (A1/P1 rates)2
1-month
3-month
1.28
1.45
4.23
4.37
5.29
5.32
5.24
5.26
3.96
3.81
1.01
.89
-.05
-.06
Large negotiable CDs1
3-month
6-month
1.53
1.82
4.49
4.65
5.40
5.46
5.35
5.39
3.82
3.57
.86
.74
-.05
-.07
Eurodollar deposits3
1-month
3-month
1.29
1.51
4.36
4.52
5.36
5.43
5.30
5.37
4.01
3.86
.94
.85
-.06
-.06
Bank prime rate
4.00
7.25
8.25
8.25
4.25
1.00
.00
Intermediate- and long-term
U.S. Treasury4
2-year
5-year
10-year
2.88
3.97
4.90
4.43
4.35
4.47
4.97
4.83
4.97
4.85
4.72
4.87
1.97
.75
-.03
.42
.37
.40
-.12
-.11
-.10
U.S. Treasury indexed notes
5-year
10-year
1.56
2.25
2.03
2.10
2.23
2.32
2.37
2.37
.81
.12
.34
.27
.14
.05
Municipal general obligations (Bond Buyer)5
5.01
4.38
4.49
4.30
-.71
-.08
-.19
Private instruments
10-year swap
10-year FNMA6
10-year AA7
10-year BBB7
10-year high yield7
5.21
5.38
5.60
6.25
8.41
4.92
4.84
5.27
5.82
8.30
5.47
5.31
5.92
6.45
8.62
5.29
5.15
5.77
6.33
8.49
.08
-.23
.17
.08
.08
.37
.31
.50
.51
.19
-.18
-.16
-.15
-.12
-.13
Home mortgages (FHLMC survey rate)
30-year fixed
1-year adjustable
6.21
4.19
6.21
5.16
6.55
5.69
6.43
5.60
.22
1.41
.22
.44
-.12
-.09
Short-term
FOMC intended federal funds rate
Treasury bills1
3-month
6-month
Record high
2005
Change to Sept. 14
from selected dates (percent)
2006
Stock exchange index
Dow Jones Industrial
S&P 500 Composite
Nasdaq
Russell 2000
Wilshire 5000
Level
Date
Dec. 30
Aug. 7
Sept. 14
Record
high
2005
Dec. 30
2006
Aug. 7
11,723
1,527
5,049
782
14,752
1-14-00
3-24-00
3-10-00
5-5-06
3-24-00
10,718
1,248
2,205
673
12,518
11,219
1,276
2,073
696
12,767
11,527
1,316
2,229
728
13,180
-1.67
-13.83
-55.85
-6.94
-1.65
7.56
5.45
1.06
8.08
5.29
2.75
3.18
7.54
4.53
3.24
1. Secondary market.
2. Financial commercial paper.
3. Bid rates for Eurodollar deposits collected around 9:30 a.m. eastern time.
4. Derived from a smoothed Treasury yield curve estimated using off-the-run securities.
5. Most recent Thursday quote.
6. Constant-maturity yields estimated from Fannie Mae domestic noncallable coupon securities.
7. Derived from smoothed corporate yield curves estimated using Merrill Lynch bond data.
_______________________________________________________________________
NOTES:
June 28, 2004, is the day before the most recent policy tightening began.
August 7, 2006, is the day before the most recent FOMC announcement.
_______________________________________________________________________
The International Economy
Prices of Internationally Traded Goods
Non-oil imports. In August, import prices of non-oil goods and core goods rose 0.5 and
0.3 percent, respectively. These increases reflected higher prices for material-intensive
goods, with a 13.6 percent increase in natural gas prices providing an additional boost to
the price index for non-oil goods. After falling 1.0 percent in July, prices for non-fuel
industrial supplies resumed the upward pace of earlier months, with an increase of
0.5 percent in August. This increase reflected higher prices for metals which offset lower
prices for chemicals and building materials. Food prices were also up, increasing
2.5 percent. In comparison, prices for imported finished goods were little changed.
Prices for imported computers rose 0.2 percent, whereas prices for semiconductors were
flat.
The average level of core import prices in July and August was 3½ percent at an annual
rate above the second-quarter average, as prices were higher in all major sub-categories.
Prices for material-intensive goods were up 7¾ percent (a.r.), whereas prices for finished
goods increased at a 2¼ percent (a.r.) pace.
Oil. The BLS price index of imported oil rose 2.3 percent in August. The spot price of
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged around $73 per barrel in August and
has averaged $66.50 per barrel thus far in September. In early August, the spot price of
WTI surged to $77 per barrel following the disruption of supplies from Alaska’s Prudhoe
Bay. Since then, oil prices have fallen sharply. Market participants appear to have taken
a more benign view of supply, reflecting the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, a
partial resumption of production from the Prudhoe Bay oil field, forecasts predicting
fewer hurricanes this season, and a perception that punishment of Iran for its nuclear
program is not imminent. The spot price of WTI closed at $63.98 per barrel on
September 13.
Exports. In August, prices of U.S. exports of total goods and core goods increased
0.4 and 0.7 percent, respectively. Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies increased
1.5 percent in August, reflecting higher prices for chemicals, metals, and fuels.
Agricultural export prices rose 1.0 percent. Within finished goods, prices for both capital
goods (excluding computers and semiconductors) and consumer goods were up
0.2 percent in August. In contrast, prices of exported computers and semiconductors fell
1.6 and 2.0 percent, respectively.
- 13 -
- 14 -
The average level of core export prices in July and August was 7 percent at an annual rate
above the second quarter average, as prices increased in all major sub-categories. Much
of the increase can be attributed to the 14 percent increase in the prices of materialintensive goods, as prices of both agricultural products and nonagricultural industrial
supplies rose sharply.
The import and export price data for August came in quite close to our expectations. As
a result, we have not revised our outlook for trade prices from the September Greenbook.
- 15 -
Prices of U.S. Imports and Exports
Merchandise Imports
Categories of Core Imports
12-month percent change
12-month percent change
8
6
Core goods
15
Material-intensive
goods
4
10
2
Non-oil goods
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
20
Finished goods
5
0
0
-2
-5
-4
-10
-6
1998
Oil
2000
2002
2004
2006
-15
Natural Gas
Dollars per barrel
300
2000=100
Dollars per million BTU
30
75
65
55
45
Spot WTI
250
25
200
20
150
35
Import price
index
(left scale)
15
100
Import unit value
15
1998
2000
2002
2004
10
25
2006
5
Merchandise Exports
50
0
Spot Henry Hub
(right scale)
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
5
0
Categories of Core Exports
12-month percent change
12-month percent change
8
6
15
Material-intensive
goods
4
Core goods
20
10
2
Finished goods
5
0
0
-2
-5
-4
-10
Total goods
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
-6
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
-15
- 16 -
Prices of U.S. Imports and Exports
(Percentage change from previous period)
Annual rate
2006
Q1
Q2
Q3e
Merchandise imports
Oil
Non-oil
Core goods1
Finished goods
Cap. goods ex. comp. & semi.
Automotive products
Consumer goods
Material-intensive goods
Foods, feeds, beverages
Industrial supplies ex. fuels
Computers
Semiconductors
Natural gas
Merchandise exports
Core goods2
Finished goods
Cap. goods ex. comp. & semi.
Automotive products
Consumer goods
Material-intensive goods
Agricultural products
Industrial supples ex. ag.
Computers
Semiconductors
Monthly rate
2006
June
July
Aug.
----------------------- BLS prices --------------------.1
12.8
8.7
.1
1.0
.8
6.8
79.2
34.3
-1.1
5.1
2.3
-1.2
1.0
2.9
.4
.0
.5
2.2
3.9
3.4
.6
.0
.3
.7
1.7
-.8
.8
.8
2.5
1.0
-.4
2.2
2.8
1.4
2.2
.2
.6
.2
.1
.3
.2
.2
.4
.0
.1
.0
.0
9.6
5.5
11.8
14.9
-.7
20.7
7.8
7.0
7.6
1.8
-.1
2.4
-.7
.0
-1.0
1.0
2.5
.5
-6.9
2.4
-65.2
-7.6
-.3
-63.8
-4.6
4.3
-1.0
-.6
.4
-8.2
-.6
.9
-1.1
.2
.0
13.6
2.9
6.7
5.4
.7
.4
.4
3.6
8.0
7.0
.9
.5
.7
2.6
4.0
1.0
1.4
2.8
3.0
1.9
3.0
2.2
2.0
1.4
3.1
.2
.1
.2
.3
.3
.3
.2
.3
.1
.2
.0
.2
5.2
-1.4
7.2
15.7
2.0
20.2
14.0
18.2
13.1
1.9
2.5
1.7
.8
1.9
.5
1.4
1.0
1.5
1.2
-7.9
-3.7
-5.9
-7.2
-10.1
-.8
-.4
-.6
-1.2
-1.6
-2.0
--------------------- NIPA prices ---------------------
`
Chain price index
Imports of goods & services
Non-oil merchandise
Core goods1
-.7
-1.8
1.6
9.6
.7
3.8
----
----
----
----
Exports of goods & services
Total merchandise
Core goods2
2.3
2.8
3.7
6.1
6.0
6.8
----
----
----
----
1. Excludes computers, semiconductors, and natural gas.
2. Excludes computers and semiconductors.
e/ Average of two months.
n.a. Not available. ... Not applicable.
Cite this document
APA
Federal Reserve (2006, September 19). Greenbook/Tealbook. Greenbooks, Federal Reserve. https://whenthefedspeaks.com/doc/greenbook_20060920_part2
BibTeX
@misc{wtfs_greenbook_20060920_part2,
author = {Federal Reserve},
title = {Greenbook/Tealbook},
year = {2006},
month = {Sep},
howpublished = {Greenbooks, Federal Reserve},
url = {https://whenthefedspeaks.com/doc/greenbook_20060920_part2},
note = {Retrieved via When the Fed Speaks corpus}
}