The total number of operating rigs in the US the week ending April 21^st was 857, 688 oil, (+5, +0.7% week on week) and 167, (+5, +3.1% week on week), gas. On a year on year (y/y) comparison, oil rigs have doubled, 100.6%.

The CFNAI stayed on the positive side in March scoring a 0.08, down from the strong 0.34 recorded in February. This CFNAI three month moving average (3MMA) dropped to 0.03 from 0.16 in the previous month.   Weakness in employment related indicators was the primary cause.

The total number of seasonally adjusted non-farm people employed in the US in March 2017 was 145,858, million (M). This figure increased by of 98,000 month on month (0.10%).  Within the private sector there were 123,540 M workers employed, up 1.6% year on year (y/y) and up 0.07% y/y.

Initial claims grew by 10,000 for the week ending April 15^th. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cautions that this April payroll reference week results in data that may be less reliable because of the Easter holiday.

The total number of operating rigs in the US the week ending April 14^th was 847, 683 oil and 162 gas. For both oil and gas this was 33% higher than after the BP Gulf explosion April 2010.

Consumer jumped to to $15.2 billion (B) in January’s weak $8.8 B, beating the consensus estimate of $14.5 B. Revolving credit balanced fell moved-up $3 B month on month as non-revolving credit balances move-up a respectable $12.3 B.