The omicron variant has caused many people to pull back on work and spending, which is why we have downgraded our first quarter growth forecast for gross domestic product to 1.5%. … READ MORE >
Blog
FOMC preview: Shaping expectations for a major policy shift
Expect the FOMC to lay the groundwork for a major policy shift that includes a rate hike in March, another in June, and a balance sheet runoff likely to start in June or July. … READ MORE >
How the Fed plans to use its balance sheet to craft a soft landing
The reduction of the Fed’s balance sheet is little understood, but it may end up challenging the conventional wisdom that the Fed will raise its policy rate four times this year. … READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of Jan. 17, 2022
From the impact of antimicrobial-resistant diseases to the demand for decentralized clinical trials, each week we highlight five things you need to know in the life sciences industry. … READ MORE >
Monetary and fiscal policy in a changing economy: Why the natural rate of interest is key to Fed policy
The natural rate of interest, also known as r-start, forms the basis for setting the Fed’s overnight policy rate and, by extension, interest rates across all maturities. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Existing home sales fall 4.6%
Existing home sales in the United States cooled off significantly in December, dropping 4.6% on the month to 6.18 million homes sold amid near-record housing prices and supply constraints. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims reach 13-week high amid omicron variant’s surge
New filings for jobless benefits last week jumped to 286,000, the second sharp increase in a row from 231,000 the week before amid a surge in coronavirus cases. … READ MORE >
Canada inflation highest since 1991 as supply chain disruptions continue
Canada’s consumer price index hit 4.8% in December, the highest since 1991 as supply chain disruptions continued, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Housing starts and permits end year with upside surprises
The housing market ended the year strong as housing starts and permits rose unexpectedly in December, beating earlier estimates of potential declines. … READ MORE >
Housing starts in Canada fall as materials remain in short supply
Canada’s housing starts in December fell to 236,100, a drop of 22.3% from November because of material shortages following the floods and landslides in British Columbia that kept construction materials stranded at the Port of Vancouver. … READ MORE >