U.S. Economy Still on Expansion Course, Rupkey Says

Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, discusses U.S. jobless claims and housing starts data and The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general economic index released today. Jobless claims climbed by 2,000 to 366,000 in the week ended Aug. 11, Labor Department figures showed in Washington. New-home construction fell in July 1.1 percent to a 746,000 annual rate from June’s 754,000 pace, Commerce Department figures showed. The Philadelphia Fed’s general economic index improved to minus 7.1 in August from minus 12.9 the previous month. (Source: Bloomberg)