One of the most impressive changes to the global economy is the ascent of India and its growing role in international financial markets and the global economy. The size of its economy has doubled to $4 trillion over the past decade and it’s becoming a major player in the international economy. India ... READ MORE >
Economics
Retail sales and industrial production rise in May
The soft rebound in May’s retail sales was good news, suggesting that the economy might reach a soft landing sooner than expected. Total sales increased by 0.1% while the control group, which is the key metric that feeds into gross domestic production calculations, rose by 0.4%. Read more of RSM's ... READ MORE >
U.S. gas prices poised to decline by 10% ahead of July 4
Traditionally, gasoline prices in the United States peak just ahead of the July 4 holiday as consumers get ready to hit the road and vacation season begins. But this year is shaping up to be a different story. Because of supply conditions and easing demand, domestic gasoline prices peaked at $3.67 per ... READ MORE >
The future of voluntary carbon markets: A pathway to corporate decarbonization
Voluntary carbon markets have long been touted as an important mechanism for driving emissions reductions. By allowing businesses to purchase carbon credits, which represent verified reductions in greenhouse gases, voluntary carbon markets can theoretically accelerate the transition to a low-carbon ... READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment falls more than expected
Consumer sentiment dropped to 65.6 in June, a seven-month low, which was much less than expected with declining sentiment on personal finances as the focus, according to the University of Michigan survey released on Friday. The subindex for personal finances fell to 79, the lowest since October. The ... READ MORE >
PCE inflation preview: From noise to norm, rate cuts are on the horizon
Following the release of the consumer price index and producer price index this week, we are now forecasting a 0.084% increase in the May personal consumption expenditures index, translating to a 2.6% increase on a year-over-year basis. This will appear in the forecast table as a 0.10% estimate. But we ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims jump as inflation continues to improve
Initial jobless claims jumped to 242,000 for the week ending June 8 from 229,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. The latest figure was the highest level in almost a year, nearing the threshold of 250,000 that in our view signals conditions for a possible recession. It ... READ MORE >
FOMC holds rates steady but is divided on their direction
The Federal Open Market Committee kept its policy rate in a range between 5.25% and 5.5% at its meeting on Wednesday while signaling through its dot plot forecast of interest rates that the committee would support at least one 25 basis-point rate cut this year. But the committee was split on the ... READ MORE >
U.S. consumer price index cools in May as gas and transportation costs decline
A gradual cooling in inflation in May because of a 3.6% decline in gasoline prices, a 1.1% drop in transportation costs and 0.5% easing in the cost of new vehicles shows that the rise in inflation at the start of the year was more noise than signal. Overall, the consumer price index increased by 3.3% ... READ MORE >
U.S. financial conditions update: A shift in structure and a new center of gravity
Monetary policy has reached a pivot point, bringing an increased probability for sustained growth and easing fears of a premature end to the business cycle. This improvement should underscore the positive outlook that will be featured in the Federal Open Market Committee’s Summary of Economic ... READ MORE >