New business formations surged during the pandemic and are reshaping the labor market in a way that bodes well for economic growth. … READ MORE >
Economics
Chart of the day: Wages grew fastest in 20 years
The tight labor market sent worker compensation growth in the third quarter to the highest level in 20 years, posting a 1.3% gain. … READ MORE >
Personal spending grew in September despite mitigating factors
Personal spending grew in September for the second straight month as the extra income from the enhanced Child Tax Credit program continued to offset the impact from the delta variant on consumption demand. … READ MORE >
Canada GDP rose 0.4% in August as the economy reopened
The rise in spending on in-person services led the economic recovery, as August marked the first full month of most COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across the country. … READ MORE >
FOMC preview: Tapering explained
Next week’s meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee will focus on the Federal Reserve’s exit from its pandemic-era asset purchase program that has sent its balance sheet above $8.5 trillion. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Pending home sales dipped in September
The pending home sales index fell 2.3% to 116.7 in September after a strong gain of 8% in August, a sign of a modest pullback in home buying as some purchases are delayed until next year. … READ MORE >
GDP grows 2% as delta variant, supply chains and inflation take their toll
The delta variant, disruptions to global supply chains and inflation all took a powerful toll on U.S. gross domestic product in the third quarter as the pace of growth slowed to 2% from 6.7% in the prior quarter. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims hit pandemic low as labor market recovers
New filings for jobless claims dropped to another pandemic low last week as jobs remain plentiful while employers continue to compete for employees. … READ MORE >
Goods trade deficit hit new low in September amid strong demand
The goods trade deficit set another record low in September at $96.3 billion as American demand remained strong, according to the Census Bureau advance report on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada talks like a hawk and walks like a dove as it keeps rates steady
The emerging trend of central banks talking like hawks and walking like doves amid supply chain disruptions and persistent inflation continued as the Bank of Canada kept its policy rate at 0.25% on Wednesday. … READ MORE >