Economic Update 1-24-2022 Economic data for the holiday-shortened week included mixed regional manufacturing results and housing data, higher jobless claims, but continued gains in the index of leading indicators. U.S. equity markets, especially the Nasdaq-heavy group of technology stocks, fell back near or into correction territory. Foreign stocks fared slightly better than U.S., although also […]
Economic Update 1-18-2022 Economic data for the week included continued historically-strong producer and consumer inflation readings, while retail sales came in weaker than expected. U.S. equity markets fell back last week, as investor continued to digest tighter monetary policy and the impact of the Covid omicron variant. Foreign stocks fared a bit better, due to […]
Economic Update 1-10-2022 Economic data for the week included a disappointment in December nonfarm payrolls, although the unemployment rate continued to improve. ISM manufacturing and services both fell back for the month, but remained solidly in expansion. Minutes from the Dec. Fed meeting showed a more hawkish tone than did the original statement released at […]
Economic Update 1-3-2022 For the final week of 2021, sparse economic data included a continued rise in national home prices, although pending sales fell back. Jobless claims continued to show downward improvement. Global equity markets ended the year on a positive note last week. Bonds were mixed, as interest rates were little changed. Commodities gained […]
Economic Update 12-27-2021 Economic data during the holiday week included a slight revision upward for Q3 U.S. GDP, and a slight improvement in consumer confidence. Durable goods orders and housing metrics were mixed. Global equity markets gained broadly last week, as fear of the Covid omicron variant’s severity seemed to subside a bit. Bonds were […]
Economic Update 12-20-2021 Economic data for the week included the Federal Reserve announcing a faster pace in the tapering off of bond purchases, reflecting stronger growth and inflation pressures, as seen by last week’s high PPI number. Retail sales and industrial production rose, while several regional manufacturing indexes were mixed. Housing metrics also continued to […]
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee made no changes in interest rates today, as expected, staying at the target of 0.00-0.25%. However, in keeping with intensified market expectations in recent weeks (and signaled by the Fed itself), a key policy change was a doubling in the pace of tapering (to $30 bil./month) off of […]
Economic Update 12-13-2021 In a holiday-shortened week, economic data included stronger personal income and spending, as well as recovering consumer sentiment, while durable goods orders fell back. Housing data was strong in both new and existing home sales. Global equity markets were benign until Friday, when the emergence of a new Covid variant rattled investors. […]
Economic Update 12-06-2021 In a holiday-shortened week, economic data included stronger personal income and spending, as well as recovering consumer sentiment, while durable goods orders fell back. Housing data was strong in both new and existing home sales. U.S. equity markets fell back last week upon the Federal Reserve’s evolving opinion of inflation and the […]
