The ISM service data is another reason to believe the Federal Reserve should not rush cutting rates this year. … READ MORE >
Inflation
Spending remains strong as a key inflation gauge declines toward Fed’s target
Inflation dynamics to close out last year strongly point to a near-term return to the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target amid a solid labor market, strong spending and real income gains. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada holds rates steady at 5% amid weak growth
the Bank of Canada on Wednesday maintained its policy rate at 5 per cent and continued its restrictive monetary policies. At the same time, though, its public statements signed a more dovish tone. … READ MORE >
Retail sales and industrial production point to a strong end of the year
Retail sales blowing past expectations while industrial production volume stayed solid, according to government data released Wednesday. … READ MORE >
The price of eggs and public sentiment
While inflation continues to recede, higher prices continue to affect household finances, causing the public to evaluate the economy as sour. … READ MORE >
Canada’s inflation accelerated to 3.4% in December
December’s CPI increase is likely a blip in the path toward price stability as the overall rate heads to a range to below 3% soon. … READ MORE >
December CPI: Sticky service and housing prices illustrate the difficult last mile in inflation fight
Despite a three-month annualized top-line inflation pace of 1.8% and a six-month rate of 3.3%, prices in the service sector, which comprises 62% of the overall index, increased by 5% on a year-ago basis. … READ MORE >
U.S. income and spending see strong gains as year nears an end
November had a 0.4% increase in nominal income and spending, while inflation-adjusted spending advanced at a 0.3% pace, according to Commerce Department data released on Friday. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence ends the year on a positive note
The increase in confidence was broad-based in December, with the overall index rising to 110.7 from 101. … READ MORE >
Inflation in Canada stayed steady at 3.1%
Food and housing remain primary drivers of inflation. On a year-over-year basis, mortgage interest costs spiked by a whopping 29.7%—the largest contributor to inflation. … READ MORE >