Firms appear to be acting rationally to avoid rising import taxes in the new year. … READ MORE >
Hiring rebounded in November following weather-distorted October report
After the distortions In October’s jobs report caused by two hurricanes, the American labor market bounced back in November with the creation of 227,000 jobs. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Will wage growth moderate?
A look at U.S. wage growth ahead of the November U.S. jobs report to be released today should translate to a gain of 3.9% on a year-ago basis. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims climb amid holiday volatility
First-time claims for unemployment benefits increased to 224,000 Last week, in line with the 13-week moving average of 226,000. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: The mystery of rising long-term unemployment
But there a mystery amid today’s strong labor market: Longer-term unemployment of greater than 27 weeks is on the rise. … READ MORE >
ISM service sector survey: Solid expansion continues
With the labor market at full employment and wages growing above inflation, the American service sector is likely to outperform heading into the critical holiday shopping season. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Return of the term premium on Treasury notes
While the term premium is modest, given the changing policy matrix amid a strong economy, we expect yields in the new year to move to 4.5% with risk of a move to 5% or higher. … READ MORE >
Servicing external debt in a strong-dollar environment
The dollar’s strength is coming at price for emerging markets, which must pay more to service their external debt. … READ MORE >
Global currency reserves: BRIC economies not supplanting U.S. any time soon
O about $12.5 trillion in total global currency reserves, China accounts for but a fraction with $245 billion. The United States, by contrast, accounts for $6.67 trillion. … READ MORE >
Inflation proving stubborn as major policy changes await
given the looming fiscal and trade policy changes, it is growing more likely that the central bank will pause its rate-cutting campaign to ascertain their impact on the economy. … READ MORE >