by Calculated Risk on 1/25/2011 10:53:00 AM

Several items ...

• From the Telegraph: UK economy shrinks 0.5pc

Gross domestic product fell 0.5pc in the fourth quarter, the most in more than a year, the Office for National Statistics reported on Tuesday.

Double dip?

• From the BLS: Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in December. ... Nevada continued to register the highest unemployment rate among the states, 14.5 percent in December. The states with the next highest rates were California, 12.5 percent, and Florida, 12.0 percent. The Nevada rate was the highest in its series.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the high and low unemployment rates for each state (and D.C.) since 1976. The red bar is the current unemployment rate (sorted by the current unemployment rate).

Ten states now have double digit unemployment rates.

• From the Richmond Fed: Manufacturing Activity Continues to Expand in January; Expectations Remain Upbeat

In January, the seasonally adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity — our broadest measure of manufacturing — fell seven points to 18 from December's reading of 25. Among the index's components, shipments dropped seven points to 23, new orders lost twelve points to finish at 17, and the jobs index was unchanged at 14.

This was below expectations of a decline to 22.

• The Conference Board reported their consumer confidence index was at 60.6 (1985=100), up from 52.5 in December. This was above expectations of an increase to 54.2. Confidence is a coincident indicator and this suggests improvement in January.

Earlier:
• Case-Shiller: U.S. Home Prices Keep Weakening as Eight Cities Reach New Lows in November