Measures the total value of outstanding consumer installment debt

The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Crude Oil Inventories measures the weekly increase in barrels of commercial crude oil held in inventory by US firms. The level of inventories influences the price of petroleum products, which can have an impact on inflation and other economic forces.

Measures the number of signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, condos and co-ops. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001.

Federal Reserve Governor and FOMC voting member Randall Kroszner will speak at the International Bankers\' annual breakfast, in Washington DC. FOMC voting members are responsible for setting the nation\'s short term interest rate, so traders scrutinize their speeches closely for clues regarding future monetary policy.

Measures the annualized quarterly growth in labor efficiency for producing goods and services outside the farming sector.

Measures annualized rate of inflation in the wages, salaries and benefits paid to civilian workers. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. When businesses pay more for labor, they are likely to pass the higher costs to the consumer, so traders view wage inflation as a leading indicator of consumer inflation.

Measures the total value of output produced by factories, mines, and utilities. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because high levels of production are a sign of a strong economy. Industrial Production reacts quickly to the ups and downs of the business cycle and can be a leading indicator of manufacturing employment, average earnings, and personal income.

Measures the total value of output produced by manufacturers. Manufacturing Production differs from Industrial Production in that it only measures the 13 sub-sectors of production that relate directly to manufacturing. Manufacturing industries make up about 80% of total Industrial Production.