Joseph Heller’s novel “Catch-22” delved into the impossible conditions imposed upon people caught in situations from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. That Catch-22 is an apt description of where the Federal Reserve finds itself as it lifted its ... READ MORE >
Economics
The middle market economy—often overlooked in the wake of large public companies and emerging Wall Street darlings—is the backbone of U.S. economic growth, accounting for the majority of new U.S. jobs and some 40 percent of the nation’s GDP.
Canada inflation slows in February
Canada's inflation plunged to 5.2% from 5.9% on a year-ago basis in February as comparisons to last year’s elevated numbers kicked in, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday. Prices spiked during the same period last year because of supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine. Inflation ... READ MORE >
Financial shock sending Fed proxy rate into restrictive terrain
The financial shock affecting the U.S. economy will most likely result in tightened lending standards, tip the economy into recession this year and cause mild disinflation. The quandary faced by the Federal Reserve—balancing price stability, full employment and financial stability—requires an ... READ MORE >
Coordinated central bank action follows the Credit Suisse-UBS merger
Global financial stress accelerated over the weekend, requiring coordinated action by central banks to stem dollar funding pressures in financial markets as investors digested the forced merger of Credit Suisse and UBS. Large additional tier one bondholder losses amid the $275 billion ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment fell in March, before the financial turmoil
Consumer sentiment in March dropped to 63.4 from 67 as consumers’ confidence in the current economic conditions and their expectations both worsened on the month, according to the University of Michigan’s survey released Friday. The decline in sentiment, though, was not influenced by the ... READ MORE >
The great deposit migration and emergency borrowing at the Fed discount window
The banking crisis has spurred a dramatic flight to safety at all levels of the financial system. From investors seeking the assurance of money market funds, to depositors shifting their money from smaller banks to systemically important financial institutions, to banks themselves accessing ... READ MORE >
Risk metrics: Monitoring distress in the U.S. financial sector
As this latest episode of banking distress makes clear, the health of the U.S. economy depends on the health of the financial sector. Even if a business seems far removed from Wall Street, trends in the financial markets have important implications on that company’s fiscal health and operations. U.S. ... READ MORE >
How many jobs need to be sacrificed to tame inflation? Cost is rising, RSM models show.
Events are outpacing the best-laid plans of policymakers. The current turmoil in the financial sector will place constraints on the Federal Reserve’s efforts to restore price stability. Our research indicates that the Fed, facing persistent inflation, will for now have to accept a ... READ MORE >
Global financial stress: Credit Suisse to borrow $53.7 billion from Swiss central bank
Switzerland’s central bank put forward $53.7 billion in liquidity on Wednesday to prevent a probable collapse of Credit Suisse, a systemically important global financial institution. The infusion by Swiss National Bank calmed global markets, but financial stress remains elevated and is ... READ MORE >
Jobless claims and housing starts come in hotter than expected
Jobless claims and housing starts blew past forecasts in the most recent reports released Thursday, both showing stronger-than-expected results amid a looming economic downturn. New jobless claims fell by 20,000 last week to 192,000 following an unexpected spike in the previous week, ... READ MORE >