New filings for jobless benefits last week advanced to 206,000, remaining below the pre-pandemic level in 2019, after falling to a 52-year low the week before. … READ MORE >
Blog
FOMC meeting: Setting the stage for three rate hikes in 2022
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday set the stage for multiple increases in the federal funds policy rate next year by accelerating the tapering of asset purchases to $30 billion per month, up from $15 billion. The tapering should be wrapped up by March. … READ MORE >
Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure package and the telecom sector
Multiple initiatives included in the infrastructure package will require internet service providers to begin assessing how best to accommodate broadband growth in new or less saturated markets. … READ MORE >
Five things that retail sales tell us about holiday shopping
Navigating the strong headwinds from the pandemic has not been easy for retailers this holiday season, but here are five things we have learned about their response as reflected in the November retail sales data released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
Canada inflation steady at 4.7% amid high gasoline and food prices
Canada’s inflation in November remained at 4.7% on an annual basis, primarily because of increasing prices for gasoline, food and shelter, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
U.S. November retail sales: Consumer spending moderates
The American consumer has held up remarkably well during the recent surge in inflation. But that was not the case in November as the pace of spending moderated to an 0.3% increase, which is likely because of an adjustment to rising prices. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Consumer sentiment improves slightly amid inflation
The headline consumer sentiment index rose to 70.4 on the month from 67.4 previously, and only 0.1 higher than August when the delta variant’s surge hit the United States. … READ MORE >
U.S. Consumer Price Index: Inflation broadens out as shelter costs rise by 4.8%
The overall Consumer Price Index climbed by 6.8% on a year-ago basis in November, and by 0.8% on the month as inflation continued to broaden out. … READ MORE >
Five things to know in life sciences: Week of Dec. 6
From leadless pacemakers to a possible new Alzheimer’s treatment, each week we highlight five things impacting the life sciences industry. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims fall to 52-year low amid labor shortages
Initial claims for jobless benefits fell to 184,000 for the week ending Dec. 4, down from 227,000 in the previous week, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >