Economic Update 03-16-2020 In a very light week for economic data, producer prices fell sharply in February, while consumer prices increased slightly. Consumer sentiment also declined a bit, likely in keeping with uncertainty over coronavirus effects. However, over the weekend, the Federal Reserve cut rates by a percent again to near zero in an effort […]
Economic Update 03-09-2020 Economic data last week included slower ISM manufacturing, but stronger ISM non-manufacturing/services, construction spending and a positive employment report on Friday, which surpassed expectations. U.S. and foreign equity markets experienced another topsy-turvy week, ending with a net gain. Investors continued to react to new cases and spread of the coronavirus. Bonds fared […]
Economic Update 03-02-2020 While overshadowed by volatile financial markets last week, economic data included strong housing results and prices, decent increases in consumer confidence, as well as durable goods orders that declined less than expected. Equities in both U.S. and foreign markets experienced their worst week since the financial crisis, driven lower by uncertainty about […]
Economic Update 02-25-2020 On a shortened holiday week, economic data included stronger regional manufacturing results, a rebound in the broader measure of leading economic indicators, and decent housing data. U.S. and foreign equity markets fell back last week as the economic impact of the coronavirus again negatively weighed on market sentiment. However, bonds fared well, […]
Economic Update 02-18-2020 Economic data for the week included improvements in retail sales, jobless claims, and consumer sentiment; industrial production declined for the month, led by some idiosyncratic factors. Consumer and import price inflation remained tempered, in line with recent trends. U.S. equity markets gained on the week as progress in containment of the coronavirus […]
Economic Update 02-10-2020 Economic data for the week featured an unexpected rebound in manufacturing sentiment, continued strength in non-manufacturing/services sentiment, as well as an upside surprise for the employment situation report for January. Global equity markets recovered last week, with progress noted on virus containment as well as financial stimulus from the Chinese government. Bonds […]
The FOMC completed their January meeting, with no stated changes in monetary policy, and no dissents. The target fed funds rate remains at 1.50-1.75%. The formal statement was little changed, noting low inflation and economic growth expanding at a ‘moderate’ pace, although household spending was downgraded from ‘strong’ to ‘moderate’ as well, in the […]
Economic Update 01-27-2020 In a lighter week for economic numbers, home prices and sales both increased, while the index of leading economic indicators showed a decline to end the year. Global equity markets all fell due to global concerns over the new outbreak of the coronavirus in China. Bonds, in typical fashion, fared well with […]
Economic Update 01-21-2020 Economic news for the week included better results from several regional manufacturing indexes as well as stronger housing starts. On par with forecasts were tempered producer and consumer inflation readings, as were retail sales, while industrial production came in on the weaker side. U.S. and foreign equity markets gained, with U.S.-China trade […]
Economic Update 01-13-2020 Economic data for the week included a stronger than expected ISM non-manufacturing/services survey. While the December employment data came a bit below expectations, it still showed decent growth. U.S. equity markets fared positively, as geopolitical strains with Iran tempered, outperforming foreign developed market stocks, but underperformed emerging markets. Bond markets were little […]
