Hiring slowed to 235,000 in August, down from a revised gain of 1.053 million jobs in July, as the unemployment rate declined to 5.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. … READ MORE >
Blog
Global manufacturing activity and delta-induced supply chain disruptions
Rising costs and supply chain constraints continue to disrupt U.S. manufacturing activity and may worsen as the world’s factory floors brace for more shutdowns linked to the spread of the coronavirus delta variant. Even U.S. companies that do not have operations in other countries can expect to feel the strain, considering they likely have global suppliers somewhere in their supply chain. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. trade deficit improved in July after a record high
The U.S. trade deficit of goods and services, which measures exports minus imports, declined by $4.6 billion to $70.1 billion in July as domestic demand for foreign goods slowed and foreign countries’ needs for U.S. goods rose. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims: After the deluge
First-time jobless claims decreased to 340,000 for the week ending Aug. 28, from an upwardly revised 354,000 the week before, while continuing claims fell to 2.75 million, according to government data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Already hot ‘buy now, pay later’ space gets a big boost from Amazon
Amazon partnering with Affirm is one of the latest signals that “buy now, pay later” offerings are here to stay, on the heels of strong performance last year, and also signals that online and brick-and-mortar retailers that don’t have BNPL options should assess what that means for their competitiveness. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index: Gimme shelter
The RSM UK Financial Conditions Index has moved to its highest level since 2014, reaching 1.1 standard deviations above levels of risk that are normally priced into financial assets. … READ MORE >
RSM Canada Financial Conditions Index: The global threat of a resurgent virus
Canada’s financial markets continued their cautious optimism in August despite the unexpected 1.1% decline in second-quarter gross domestic product. … READ MORE >
August jobs report preview: Expect a hint of delta drag on hiring
We expect an increase in total employment of 600,000 in August with the chance of a stronger number linked to seasonal hiring in education when the jobs report is released on Friday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Consumer confidence falls amid spread of the delta variant
The headline consumer confidence index released by the Conference Board on Tuesday declined to 113.8 in August from a downwardly revised 125.1 in July, in the latest sign that the spread of the delta variant is beginning to weigh on the economy. … READ MORE >
Coronavirus update: Fourth wave of infections to carry economic impact
In the United States, infections have increased to a rate of 157,000 per day, with each loss of life and the use of medical resources and foregone activity taking their toll on economic progress. … READ MORE >