By Evelina M. Tainer, Chief Economist, Econoday
November 22, 2002

Note: Due to the holiday-shortened week, Simply Economics will not be published next week. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Several key indicators were reported this week confirming that economic conditions are not changing rapidly. The international trade figures were affected by the West Coast lockout; October housing starts reversed the September surge; the consumer price index revealed neither inflation nor deflation; and the Philadelphia Fed survey suggested a potential uptick in manufacturing activity for the month.