Stalled improvement in the December consumer price index appears to be the growing consensus among policymakers and investors as they await turn-of-the-year price increases. The expected adoption of expansionary fiscal policies, as well as greater restrictions on immigration, are pointing toward ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: The tax over policy uncertainty is rising
It’s no mystery that rising uncertainty over the new presidential administration’s policies is one of the major risks to financial markets and the economic outlook. Volatility across asset markets has been rising, and is poised to continue increasing, as investors adjust to changes in fiscal, trade and ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Emerging market currencies at risk of depreciation
Since early October, emerging market currencies have been depreciating against the U.S. dollar. Differentials in growth, interest rates and expectations on policy changes by the Trump administration are all contributing to the decline. Whether the depreciation is taking place in economies that have ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Tariffs, supply chain pressures and inflation
One week from today, President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated, bringing a new round of import taxes on a series of goods across several economies. While the details are still unclear, it is not too early to begin estimating the deadweight that a new round of tariffs will place on economic ... READ MORE >
American exceptionalism: Job gains of 256,000 to temper calls for further rate cuts
American exceptionalism is the primary takeaway from one of the more remarkable years in labor market dynamics over the past half century as the economy generated 256,000 new jobs in December. That increase stands well above the 100,000 to 150,000 level that is necessary to keep employment ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Net immigration, population growth and U.S. employment
The U.S. December employment report will most likely show a net increase of 180,000 jobs with the risk of a stronger print because of seasonal fluctuations, a post-hurricane rebound in hiring as well as solid gains in government, health care, education, and leisure and hospitality, The unemployment is ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: India’s rising capital buffer and the end of its currency peg
As India has gained prominence in the global economy, its central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, has wisely increased the level of foreign exchange holdings. These reserves are necessary to maintain payments for imports should there be a global economic financial crisis or a sudden devaluation of the ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: The end of the Indian rupee’s effective dollar peg
A currency is a two-sided instrument. In the case of the Indian rupee-U.S. dollar exchange rate, the demand for the rupee has been overwhelmed by the demand for the dollar and a loss of competitiveness over the two years that the Reserve Bank of India has maintained a de-facto peg to the dollar. Now, ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Do frothy financial markets present risk in 2025?
It is said that the economy is not the stock market. That is true; however, the stock market is critical to supporting household spending. In our contemporary K-shaped economy, where higher-income consumers have thrived while those with lower incomes have struggled, paying close attention to the link ... READ MORE >
Morning market minute: US term premium and higher yields
The decomposition of bond yields rests on two factors: first, expectations, or the average of future short-term interest rates; and second, a term premium that reflects compensation demanded by investors to hold riskier long-term bonds. Given that expectations are anchored by Federal Reserve policy ... READ MORE >