January’s Consumer Price Index increased by 0.5% on the month, rising from a 0.1% increase in December, and by 6.4% on a 12-month basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday. … READ MORE >
Blog
Fed’s survey of loan officers points to caution in the middle market
Even as financial conditions have eased in recent months, helping to spur a rally in equity markets, one area of America’s real economy has been flashing warning signs: the commercial and industrial loan market. … READ MORE >
This week in energy: Russia oil price cap, natural gas outlook, nuclear SMRs
In this week’s energy industry analysis, we take a look at the European Union’s latest sanction on Russian oil, the Energy Information Administration’s natural gas outlook, and plans for North America’s first small modular reactor. … READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of Feb. 6, 2023
From reducing drug prices to artificial intelligence that provides real-time feedback for cardiac ultrasounds, here’s what’s happening in life sciences. … READ MORE >
Canada adds a robust 150,000 jobs in January as wage growth eases
Robust job gains combined with the unemployment rate holding steady near a record low at 5% should push the expectations of a recession—even a mild one—on hold, or at least push them to the second half of the year. … READ MORE >
Rising interest payments, deficits and the debt ceiling crisis
The mounting stand-off over raising the federal government’s debt ceiling has put a renewed focus on the rising cost of financing the nation’s debt. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims rise, but remain below pre-pandemic level
New filings for unemployment benefits increased by 7.1% to 196,000 for the week ending Feb. 4, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Consumer products M&A insights
Consumer products closed deal activity slowed for the fourth consecutive quarter. … READ MORE >
Financial conditions ease as downturn in corporate debt issuance lingers
The RSM US Financial Conditions Index has moved to only 0.4 standard deviations below normal but corporate debt issuance remains weighed down by rate hikes and the risk of a recession. … READ MORE >
4 areas of focus for financial institutions in early 2023
Despite the lift in financial institutions’ net interest margins from unprecedented rate hikes, the headwinds facing the industry through declining macroeconomic conditions are creating unique downside risks for the nation’s banking system.
Still, the strong capital positions of the nation’s banks have positioned them to weather such headwinds if they prioritize accordingly. Here are four areas to pay attention to as the year progresses. … READ MORE >