Economic Update 01-19-2021 Economic data for the week included a deeper-than-expected decline in retail sales, weaker Empire state manufacturing, and an unexpected rise in jobless claims. Producer and consumer inflation measures rose slightly, in keeping with recent trend. Industrial production, on the other hand, continued to increase. Global stock markets declined last week, with mixed […]
The Quarterly Update is Now Available “Lights, Camera, Action” 2003’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King made cinema history in a number of ways when it won the Best Picture at the 2004 Academy Awards. It had the 3rd longest run time at 201 minutes, it was the only […]
Economic Update 01-11-2021 Economic data for the week included stronger reports for ISM manufacturing and services, while the employment situation for December weakened more than expected. Equity markets rose several percent globally, with the U.K. and emerging markets leading other regions, with hopes for larger U.S. stimulus upon the victory of both Georgia Democratic Senate […]
Economic Update 12-29-2020 On the shortened holiday week, economic data included a decline in personal income and spending, mixed results in housing, and weaker consumer confidence. Global equity markets were down on net last week, as agreement on Congressional stimulus remained in limbo and Covid case counts remain high, along with a newly identified strain […]
Economic Update 12-21-2020 Economic data for the week included declines in retail sales, industrial production, as well as in several regional manufacturing indexes. Jobless claims also ticked higher along with rising virus counts nationally. Global equity markets rose last week, with continued easy economic policies announced and optimism over the new Covid vaccines. Bonds were […]
The Federal Reserve made no policy changes at today’s meeting, as expected, keeping the fed funds rate at the zero bound of 0.00-0.25%. There were no dissents from committee members. The dollar swap lines and repurchase facility were also extended. The formal statement was little changed, in terms of wording. The purchase of treasuries […]
Economic Update 12-14-2020 In a lighter week for economic data, releases included minor increases in producer and consumer prices, and higher-than-expected jobless claims as an uptick in Covid cases continues to weigh on the jobs market. Consumer sentiment improved with the Covid vaccine news, along with inflation expectations falling a bit. Global stocks declined last […]
Economic Update 12-07-2020 Economic data for the week included slightly weaker ISM manufacturing and services, although the underlying metrics continued to show expansion. The employment situation report for November showed a significant slowing of job growth compared to the recovery over the past six months, due to rising Covid cases. U.S. equity markets led the […]
Economic Update 11-30-2020 In a shortened holiday week, economic data included stronger housing prices but a decline in sales, mixed personal income/spending results, and lower consumer sentiment as Covid cases again pick up. U.S. and foreign equity markets both experienced gains last week, as positive sentiment continued. Bonds were mixed, with U.S. corporates and foreign […]
Economic Update 11-23-2020 Economic data for the week included increases in retail sales, industrial production, and several housing metrics; a pair of regional manufacturing indexes decelerated but remained solidly in expansion. World equity markets moved in different directions last week, with U.S. stocks declining and foreign stocks rising. Bonds fared well, as interest rates globally […]
