Commentary

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 6 hours ago

Privately-owned housing starts in October 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,246,000. This is 4.6 percent (+/- 11.2%)* below the revised September 2025 estimate of 1,306,000. October 2025: -4.6* % Change September 2025 (r): +1.2* % Change

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 8 hours ago

October 2025 sales of merchant wholesalers were $704.9 billion, down 0.4 percent (+/- 0.5 percent)* from last month. End-of-month inventories were $913.5 billion, up 0.2 percent (+/- 0.4 percent)* from last month. October 2025: +0.2* % Change in Inventories September 2025 (r): +0.5 % Change in Inventories

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 10 hours ago

The nation's international trade deficit in goods and services decreased to $29.4 billion in October from $48.1 billion in September (revised), as exports increased and imports decreased. October 2025: -39.0° % Change September 2025 (r): -13.5° % Change

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 11 hours ago

New orders for manufactured goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $8.1 billion or 1.3 percent to $604.8 billion. October 2025: -1.3° % Change September 2025 (r): +0.2° % Change

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 12 hours ago

The housing market recently crossed a noteworthy line: There are now more Americans with mortgage rates higher than 6 percent than below 3 percent. That may unleash more overall activity. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/01/11/mortgage-lock-in-effect/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F4668c0a%2F6963d343db83d03790a86ec3%2F5fc40926ae7e8a48fde50ebf%2F27%2F66%2F6963d343db83d03790a86ec3

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 1 day ago

WA budget woes dominate as Ferguson, lawmakers begin 2026 session. In addition to Washington state's self-inflicted problems, lawmakers are facing a frequently hostile Trump administration and attempts to slash federal funding. https://buff.ly/AcfvNBX