Updated as each release lands

Data Releases

Plain-language briefs on every major U.S. economic release — month-over-month and year-over-year changes, revision checks, and what stands out. Updated as each release lands.

Latest release
Labor market Q3 2026

Employment Cost Index

178.6
Total comp
▲ +0.8% m/m · +3.4% y/y
  • Wages and salaries, private industry: up 3.1% from a year ago — the slowest pace since Q1 2021.
  • Total compensation, all civilian workers: up 3.4% from a year ago — the slowest pace since Q2 2021.
Released October 30, 2026

Inflation

Labor market

Labor market Q3 2026

Employment Cost Index

178.6
Total comp
▲ +0.8% m/m · +3.4% y/y
  • Wages and salaries, private industry: up 3.1% from a year ago — the slowest pace since Q1 2021.
  • Total compensation, all civilian workers: up 3.4% from a year ago — the slowest pace since Q2 2021.
Released October 30, 2026
Labor market September 2026

Employment Situation

159,044
Payrolls
▲ +29,000 m/m · +496,000 y/y
  • Average hourly earnings: up 3.0% from a year ago — the slowest pace since May 2021.
  • Professional and business services: +123,000 over the past year — the largest 12-month gain since June 2023.
Released October 2, 2026 19 revisions
Labor market September 2026

ADP National Employment Report

132,889
ADP private payrolls
▲ +90,000 m/m · +761,000 y/y
  • Mid-sized establishments (250-499): highest level on record (data back to January 2010).
  • Mid-sized establishments (50-249): highest since September 2025 (12 months).
Released September 30, 2026 11 revisions
Labor market August 2026

Job Openings and Labor Turnover

7,079
Openings
▼ −256,000 m/m · +160,000 y/y
  • Layoffs and discharges: −191,000 over the past year — the steepest 12-month decline since March 2024.
Released September 1, 2026 4 revisions
Labor market Q2 2026

Productivity and Costs

120.0
Productivity
▲ +0.4% m/m · +2.2% y/y
  • Nonfarm business labour productivity: up 2.2% from a year ago — the slowest pace since Q2 2025.
Released August 7, 2026 9 revisions
Labor market week ending July 25, 2026

Initial Jobless Claims

197,000
Initial claims
▲ +9,000 m/m · −22,000 y/y
  • Initial claims, 4-week average: 5 straight weeks of decline.
  • Continuing claims: 3 straight weeks of decline.
Released August 5, 2026 5 revisions

Growth & spending

Housing

Housing September 2026

New Residential Sales

676
New home sales
▼ −4,000 m/m · −38,000 y/y
  • 30-year fixed mortgage rate: highest since January 2025 (20 months).
Released October 27, 2026 8 revisions
Housing August 2026

S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index

336.7
National
▼ −0.2% m/m · +2.1% y/y
  • 10-City composite (SA): up 3.6% from a year ago — the fastest pace since April 2025.
  • National home price index (NSA): up 2.1% from a year ago — the fastest pace since May 2025.
Released October 27, 2026 20 revisions
Housing September 2026

Pending Home Sales

66.0
Pending sales
▼ −7.3% m/m
    Released October 20, 2026
    Housing September 2026

    New Residential Construction

    1,221
    Starts
    ▼ −67,000 m/m · −98,000 y/y
    • Single-family permits: lowest since March 2023 (42 months).
    • Multifamily starts (5+ units): −122,000 over the past year — the steepest 12-month decline since June 2024.
    Released October 20, 2026 13 revisions
    Housing October 2026

    NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index

    29.0
    HMI
    ▼ −3.0 pts m/m · −8.0 pts y/y
    • Housing Market Index: lowest since June 2012 (172 months).
    • Current sales conditions: lowest since June 2012 (172 months).
    Released October 19, 2026 5 revisions
    Housing September 2026

    Existing Home Sales

    3,990,000
    Sales
    ▲ +60,000 m/m · −90,000 y/y
    • Inventory of homes for sale: highest since November 2019 (81 months).
    Released October 13, 2026 2 revisions
    Housing September 2026

    MBA Mortgage Applications Survey

    7.5%
    30-yr rate
    ▲ +0.7 pp m/m
    • Freddie Mac 30-year fixed (for comparison): highest since January 2025 (20 months).
    • ARM share of applications: 3 straight months of increase.
    Released October 7, 2026

    Manufacturing

    Business activity

    Consumer sentiment

    Monetary policy

    On the calendar