Economic Update 06-08-2020 Economic data released last week continued to show broad shutdown-based weakness over the past several months, in manufacturing, services, construction, and employment. However, some signs of improvement are being seen on the margin, which have been taken positively by financial markets. U.S. equity markets gained with signs of economic recovery and a […]
Economic Update 06-01-2020 On a shortened holiday week, economic data continued its lackluster trend, now reporting the well-known weakness of April and May in many industries. Included were weaker numbers for durable goods, jobless claims, and pending home sales. Consumer sentiment and housing prices were mixed. Global equity markets gained with optimism over lockdowns easing […]
Economic Update 05-26-2020 Economic news remained dreary, with expected poor results for home sales, leading economic indicators, and manufacturing—although there appear to see some signs of marginal improvement in sentiment for the latter. U.S. and foreign equity markets rose as investors looked ahead to progress on a Covid vaccine, and continued extreme stimulus measures in […]
Economic Update 05-18-2020 Economic data continued to reflect the negative reality of Covid closures, with retail sales and jobless claims continuing to show extreme weakness, as well as a deceleration in inflation. On the other hand, manufacturing sentiment gained a bit—especially in future expectations—while consumer sentiment also improved. Global equity markets fell back last week, […]
Economic Update 05-11-2020 Economic data for the week remained poor from Covid effects, as expected, as ISM non-manufacturing and employment plummeted to lows not seen in years. U.S. and some foreign markets rose as investors looked around the bend at planned reopenings and mixed news about U.S.-China trade. Bonds ticked lower as interest rates rose […]
Economic Update 05-04-2020 Data for the week included lackluster results for Q1 economic growth, personal income and spending, manufacturing, and jobless claims. These were all as expected due to the rapid business shutdowns since March. U.S. and foreign equity markets were mixed last week as sentiment wavered back and forth surrounding virus and economic news. […]
The Federal Open Market Committee had no further policy moves to announce after their meetings this week. This follows lowering rates dramatically in March, to a minimum level of 0.00-0.25%, to counteract anticipated economic effects of the coronavirus. Other current tools being used include unlimited buying of treasury and agency mortgage-backed bonds, designed to keep […]
Economic Update 04-27-2020 Economic data for the week continues to reflect the current extreme slowdown, increasingly, as the March and April numbers are calculated and released. Jobless claims continued to come in at all-time highs, durable goods orders fell, and housing has begun to be affected as well. Global equity markets fell back last week […]
Economic Update 04-20-2020 Economic news, per the new norm, reflected a slowing economy from Covid-related shutdowns. This included disappointing results in retail sales, regional manufacturing, housing, and employment. Global equity markets were mixed on the week, displaying far less volatility than in recent weeks, as hopes rose for reopening of the global economy sooner than […]
Economic Update 04-13-2020 Economic data included tempered produce and consumer inflation figures, and sharply negative results, as expected, for jobless claims, job openings, and consumer sentiment. Impact from coronavirus-related economic shutdowns have begun to filter into official economic data, which is likely to continue in coming months. On a shortened Good Friday week, global equity […]
