Financial conditions continue to deteriorate as uncertainty and volatility creep back into the equity, bond and money markets. … READ MORE >
Economics
Fed holds rates steady with a stagflation-lite forecast
The Fed’s statement and forecasts draw a picture of a central bank that is on its heels and looking to ascertain the difference between signal and noise amid rising uncertainty as it determines its policy … READ MORE >
Market minute: There is no alternative to the U.S. dollar
The dollar remains the currency of choice for emerging markets. The dollar’s percentage share of emerging market bonds stands at 86.3% and is 81.7% of all credit. … READ MORE >
Industrial production index hits record high amid tariffs
The U.S. industrial production index rose to a record 104.2 on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, according to the Federal Reserve. … READ MORE >
Calm before the storm: Canada’s CPI rises as tax break ends
Canada’s consumer price index for February saw a sizeable uptick—but the increase was just the calm before a broader economic storm. … READ MORE >
Market minute: U.S. runs a trade surplus with Canada excluding oil
The oil trade between the two countries is a function of geographical proximity, efficiency, cost and infrastructure concerns. … READ MORE >
Retail sales rebound, easing some concerns over growth
We do not expect the data to alter the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its policy rate unchanged at its meeting this week. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Will the economy keep on truckin’? An indicator is saying no.
The Dow Jones U.S. Trucking Index has declined 24% from its peak on Nov. 11 and is down 21.5% since its recent high on Feb. 18. … READ MORE >
The waiting is the hardest part: Fed can’t do anything about tariffs
We expect the Fed to keep its policy rate in a range between 4.25% and 4.5% while adjusting its Summary of Economic Projections to anticipate slower growth at or near 2%. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Drill, baby, drill and the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum
The spot price of 5.5-inch diameter North American steel pipe, used by drillers to extract oil, has soared more than 20% over the past month. … READ MORE >