Durable Goods Orders (September 2013)

– New Orders Overall (Month/Month) +3.7% Previous was +0.2%

– New Orders Overall (Year/Year)  7.4%. Previous was +13.8%

– Ex-transportation (Month/Month) -0.1%. Previous was -0.4%

– Ex-transportation (Year/Year)  +5.6%. Previous was +7.3%.

While the overall number is positive because of aircraft orders, those orders are volatile and the ex-trans number indicates flat manufacturing.  The inability to produce manufacturing jobs is part of what is preventing economic growth.

Consumer Sentiment (October 2013)

– University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment – 73.2. Previous was 75.2.

This is supposed to measure consumers’ predisposition to spend.