Unemployment rises for the second month running, though by just over 4,000 to a total of 1,611,000 in May.

At home, high street sales have risen modestly for the second month running.

The price of flour rose substantially for the fifth straight month.

Energy prices rose substantially for the third month in a row.

Capital goods rose two-tenths of 1 percent for the third straight month.

Commodities rose by five-tenths of 1 percent for the second month.

But excluding transportation, orders rose for the third month in a row.

Employment in finance, insurance and real estate rose by about 20,000 for the second straight month.

Sales of existing homes rose in March for the second consecutive month, a real estate trade group said.

At the same time, prices continued to rise for the 19th consecutive month.