First-Quarter 2018 Real Merchandise Trade Deficit on Early Track for
Worst Shortfall in Modern Reporting

January 2018 New Orders for Durable Goods Tumbled Month-to-Month,
Both Before and After Considering Inflation and Commercial Aircraft Orders

New- and Existing-Home Sales Declined Month-to-Month and Year-to-Year,
Holding Shy of Pre-Recession Peaks by 57.3% (-57.3%) and 26.0% (-26.0%)

Freight Index Jumped Sharply Year-to-Year But Continued in Non-Expansion,
Still Shy by 12.0% (-12.0%) of Recovering Its Pre-Recession High