Economy

Chinese Trade Data in November
Written by Brett Linton
January 2, 2014
Chinese iron ore imports rose to 77,840,000 metric tons (MT) in November, a 14.8 percent increase over October tonnage. Compared to the same month one year ago, November imports were up 18.3 percent. Year-to-date (YTD) iron ore imports stood at 746,100,000 MT for the first 11 months of 2013.
Steel scrap imports to China were 360,000 MT in November, up 11.5 percent over October and up 15.4 percent over the same month in 2012. YTD steel scrap imports are 4,150,000 MT.
Chinese flat rolled imports rose to 1,040,000 MT for the month of November, a 10.5 percent increase over October imports and a 14.2 percent increase over November 2012 imports. YTD imports stood at 10,860,000 MT.
Flat rolled exports remained steady at 2,170,000 MT in November, up 1.7 percent over October exports but down 13.2 percent from November 2012 tonnage. YTD flat rolled exports were 25,230,000 MT for the first 11 months of 2013. (Source: China Customs Service)

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Economy

ABI Index Drops in August
August’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reading from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek showed a moderate decrease.

Beige Book: Economic Activity Appears Stable
The US Federal Reserve said that although overall economic activity was modest in July and August, per its latest Beige Book Report released on Sept. 6, the report was still slightly more optimistic than the previous one.
Dodge Momentum Declines in August on Tighter Lending
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) moved lower in August, driven by a slowdown in planning from tighter lending standards, according to the latest data from the Dodge Construction Network (DCN).

ISM PMI Shows 10 Months of Decline in Manufacturing Activity
Activity in the US manufacturing sector continues to slow, according to the latest monthly report on business from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).
Chicago Business Barometer Rises for Third Consecutive Month
The Chicago Business Barometer edged up in August. This is the third consecutive monthly increase according to the latest indicators from Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).