Legacy Thread

[basserdan]

8:30a Import/Export Prices:
Import Prices - M/M change 0.6% actual vs 0.6% prior
Export Prices - M/M change 0.7% actual vs 0.6% prior
Import Prices - Y/Y change 0.0% actual vs -1.3% prior
Export Prices - Y/Y change 0.6% actual vs 0.3% prior
Consensus Outlook
Forecasters see March import prices rising 0.4 percent after showing some lift in February that was isolated, however, to petroleum-related categories. This year-on-year rate is expected to improve from minus 1.3 percent to minus 0.6 percent. Export prices are expected to rise 0.3 percent in the month.


10:00a Consumer Sentiment Level 96.9 actual vs 98.4 prior
Consensus Outlook
Forecasters see no further bounce for consumer sentiment calling for a preliminary April reading of 98.0 that would compare with March's strong rise to 98.4.
Definition
The University of Michigan's Consumer Survey Center questions 600 households each month on their financial conditions and attitudes about the economy. Consumer sentiment is directly related to the strength of consumer spending. Consumer confidence and consumer sentiment are two ways of talking about consumer attitudes. Among economic reports, consumer sentiment refers to the Michigan survey while consumer confidence refers to The Conference Board's survey. Preliminary estimates for a month are released at mid-month. Final estimates for a month are released near the end of the month.