The Federal Reserve will have a difficult choice of either fighting inflation or hoping to revive a sluggish labor market when it meets this week. … READ MORE >
Inflation
Consumer spending in September was flat with holiday season approaching
Recent consumer spending data shows that the condition of U.S. households down market is sour at best and weak at worst. … READ MORE >
Retail sales fall below forecasts as demand slows
The shift in the spending cycle because of tariffs might explain why consumers pulled back in September after front-running new tariffs over the summer. … READ MORE >
Fed cuts its policy rate and sets end to quantitative tightening
The Federal Reserve reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points to a range between 3.75% and 4% on Wednesday while announcing an end to its runoff of its $6.58 trillion balance sheet by Dec. 1. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada cuts interest rate again in attempt to spur sluggish economy
Canada’s economy is slowing to the point that the Bank of Canada was comfortable making another interest-rate cut as it lowered its policy rate to 2.25 per cent. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence dips as markets rally
Consumer confidence slid again in October, a stark contrast to the high-flying rally in the equity markets—a reflection of what we call the K-shaped economy. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: At FOMC meeting, a rate cut and the end of quantitative tightening
The Federal Open Market Committee is likely to reduce its federal funds policy rate by a quarter point to a range of 3.75% to 4% at its meeting on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
U.S. September CPI: A perfect K-shaped economic report
The September CPI data gives cover to the Fed to cut rates on Oct. 29 and in December as inflation eased a bit on a monthly basis, to 0.3%, and ticked up on an annual basis to 3%. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Financial conditions, rate cuts and the FOMC
The Federal Open Market Committee is likely to reduce its policy rate by 25 basis points to a range between 3.75% and 4% at its next meeting on Oct. 29. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Focus on food prices and inflation expectations in the CPI
The Cleveland Fed’s Inflation Nowcasting model estimates that the CPI will have reached 3% in September and the first weeks of October. … READ MORE >