Consumer confidence ticked down in February as expectations for the economy softened. … READ MORE >
Economics
In case of emergency break glass: Reviving the enhanced child tax credit to ease inflation
With a robust economy and tax revenues surging, policymakers can look at measures to mitigate further stress on lower-income households caused by rising food, fuel and goods prices. … READ MORE >
RSM US Supply Chain Index: Omicron pauses improvement
Stress in the U.S. supply chain increased in January as the omicron surge temporarily put some parts of the overall production to a halt. … READ MORE >
Reimagining the workforce for the digital age: An RSM and U.S. Chamber discussion
Businesses will need to reimagine their workplaces, rethink their benefits and reconsider their recruitment if they want to compete in the emerging digital economy, said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist of RSM US, and Neil Bradley, chief policy officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Buyers rush into housing market before rate hikes
Investors with all-cash offers flocked into the housing market before rate hikes, helping to push sales of existing homes to 6.5 million in January at an annualized rate. … READ MORE >
Canada’s retail sales slump because of omicron
Retail sales in Canada plunged by 1.8% in December across all provinces as the spread of the omicron variant hurt holiday shopping. … READ MORE >
As inflation has risen, companies ask: ‘Can I really raise my prices?’
As businesses consider raising prices, there are more dynamics at play than just rising costs. Businesses need to take a broader view as they assess whether now is the time to make such price hikes. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: U.S. housing permits reach 15-year high
Housing starts declined by 4.1% in January on an annualized rate. But housing starts remained well above the long-term equilibrium for housing supply of around 1.5 million a year. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims rise unexpectedly
New filings for jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week because of large jumps in Missouri and Ohio. New claims advanced to 248,000 from an upwardly revised 225,000 the week before. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: U.S. industrial production rebounds
A colder-than-normal January pushed industrial production up significantly as utility production rose 9.9% on the month—the highest rate on record. … READ MORE >