U.S. Personal Income, August 2008
Personal income increased $61.5 billion, or 0.5 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) decreased $93.3 billion, or 0.9 percent, in August. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $3.9 billion, or less than 0.1 percent.  In July, personal income decreased $69.0 billion, or 0.6 percent, DPI decreased $91.0 billion, or 0.8 percent, and PCE increased $14.2 billion, or 0.1 percent, based on revised estimates.

Consumer Confidence, September 2008
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index™, which had improved moderately in August, posted a slight gain in September. The Index now stands at 59.8 (1985=100), up from 58.5 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 58.8 from 65.0 last month. The Expectations Index, however, increased to 60.5 from 54.1 in August.

U.S. Manufacturers' Inventories, August 2008
New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $18.6 billion or 4.0 percent to $444.4 billion. This was the largest percent decrease in new orders since October 2006 and followed a 0.7 percent July increase. Shipments, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $16.4 billion or 3.5 percent to $446.0 billion. This was the largest percent decrease in shipments since September 2006 and followed a 1.4 percent July increase. Unfilled orders, up thirty of the last thirty-one months, increased $3.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $827.2 billion.

U.S. Employment, September 2008
The unemployment rate rose from 5.7 to 6.1 percent in August, and non- farm payroll employment continued to trend down (-84,000). In August, employment fell in manufacturing and employment services, while mining and health care continued to add jobs. Average hourly earnings rose by 7 cents, or 0.4 percent, over the month.