Technology is beckoning business and professional services firms that are feeling squeezed by ongoing labor challenges. Whether higher salaries are cutting into profitability or job vacancies are outnumbering qualified applicants, digital solutions—specifically those that automate nonbillable or tedious tasks—can help increase productivity and boost the bottom line. … READ MORE >
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5G, IoT and ESG—An opportunity for telecom to drive change: Spring 2022 outlook
As the focus on environmental, social and governance initiatives continues to grow among companies, investors and consumers, 5G is poised to provide substantial environmental benefits relative to current and past network technologies. Read RSM’s outlook for the tech sector. … READ MORE >
Could the video gaming and esports industry be at the center of the next economic evolution?: Spring 2022 outlook
Video gaming and esports, perhaps at one time thought to be just a hobby for young children, should be discounted no more. VG&E is a multibillion-dollar industry poised to lead and remain at the center of a global economic renaissance. Read RSM’s outlook on the sector. … READ MORE >
Tech investment sets new records while cloud software growth continues: Spring 2022 outlook
In a year filled with pandemic challenges that included labor constraints and global supply chain issues, the technology ecosystem achieved new records in all categories of investment, including venture capital, private equity and initial public offerings, with both IPOs and special purpose acquisition company transactions hitting new highs. … READ MORE >
Technology, media and telecom industry outlook: Spring 2022
The technology, media and telecom sectors have been influential during the pandemic, maintaining and even increasing productivity, efficiency and connectivity for companies and individuals alike. Read RSM’s industry outlook for the details. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: U.S. housing permits reach 15-year high
Housing starts declined by 4.1% in January on an annualized rate. But housing starts remained well above the long-term equilibrium for housing supply of around 1.5 million a year. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims rise unexpectedly
New filings for jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week because of large jumps in Missouri and Ohio. New claims advanced to 248,000 from an upwardly revised 225,000 the week before. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: U.S. industrial production rebounds
A colder-than-normal January pushed industrial production up significantly as utility production rose 9.9% on the month—the highest rate on record. … READ MORE >
Inflation in Canada surpasses 5% amid broad price increases
Households continued to feel the impact of rising prices for essential items, with food up by 5.7%, shelter rising by 6.2% and gasoline increasing by 31.7% on a year-over-year basis.
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Retail sales outpace inflation in January despite omicron surge
Inflation and the omicron surge did not deter American consumers from beginning the year on a strong note as retail sales rebounded sharply in January. Purchases at retail stores, restaurants and online rose 3.8%, outstripping inflation for the first time in three months. … READ MORE >