Summary: <p>Mild winter weather can sometimes exaggerate economic indicators—from December’s spike in housing starts to its drop in industrial output. Seasonal fluctuations aside, last week’s numbers were impressive, especially the amount of people applying for unemployment benefits and jobless claims, which plunged close to its lowest level in the past year. Also this week: How the signing of the US-China Phase 1 trade agreement may affect the economy’s growth in 2020.</p> <p> </p>
