Economic and Financial Indicators.

The article presents charts and a graph showing economic and financial indicators, as well as an overview of markets. The bond-market "conundrum" that has troubled America's central bankers has yet to be solved. Despite rising short-term interest rates and strengthening inflation, long-term rates remain low. Sales of existing houses rose by 4.5% in April to reach a new record: an annual rate of 7.18m house sales in America. The price of a median single-family house rose by 15% in the year to April, the fastest pace since the late 1970s. Prices of condominiums rose even faster. Sales of new homes rose by 0.25% in April, also setting a new record, though March's figures were revised downwards.