Based on the relationship between retail gasoline costs and wholesale gasoline prices, that cost for consumers is likely to decline in the near term. … READ MORE >
Coronavirus
Holiday inventory problem: Some firms are better prepared than others
While the demand for goods remains strong and supplies are constrained, the impact of inventory shortages is in fact uneven across sectors. … READ MORE >
What the global coordinated release of petroleum reserves means
The politics and policy of global inflation will begin to shape markets as major global economies push back in direct and indirect ways on the surging price of oil. … READ MORE >
Introducing the RSM Canada Supply Chain Index
The RSM Canada Supply Chain Index accounts for factors affecting the delivery of intermediate goods to manufacturers and service providers, providing an overview of the economic conditions surrounding supply chains and offering a forward look for businesses. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Existing home sales inched up in October
Sales of existing homes inched up by 0.8% in October to 6.34 million, carrying some of the momentum in September, when sales jumped by a significant 7.0%, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors on Monday. … READ MORE >
Powell reappointed to lead the Fed, with Brainard elevated to vice chairwoman
The Biden administration’s widely expected reappointment of Jerome Powell as chairman of the Federal Reserve on Monday is a strong step toward providing stability and clarity for financial markets at a time when the central bank is under pressure to accelerate efforts to address inflation. … READ MORE >
RSM US Financial Conditions Index: Setting the stage for sustained growth
In its current reading, the RSM US Financial Conditions Index indicates a level of accommodation that is more than 1.4 standard deviations above normal. … READ MORE >
Canadian retail sales fall as chip shortage hurts auto sales
Retail sales in Canada decreased by 0.6% in September, to CA$56.6 billion, as a severe shortage of semiconductor chips slowed production in the auto industry. … READ MORE >
Looking ahead to 2022 and what to expect in the economy
As the economy approaches a full reopening, we expect that growth in 2022 will exceed 4%, the unemployment rate will fall to 3.5% and job growth will average roughly 230,000 per month. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Decline in initial jobless claims slows
New filings for jobless claims showed little change for the week ending Nov. 13 with a decrease of 1,000 from the prior week to 268,000, marking an easing in the pace of declines from early October. … READ MORE >