Friday’s data on spending and income, together with recent data on gross domestic product, have pointed to a booming economy that should push back any speculation for an imminent recession. … READ MORE >
Inflation
Bank of Canada holds at 5% as growth outlook softens
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 5% on Wednesday and will continue its policy of quantitative tightening. … READ MORE >
Consumer price index: Volatility in energy and gas makes price stability elusive
Gains toward price stability remain elusive as the 1.5% increase in overall energy costs and stubborn housing inflation were the major drivers of inflation over the past month. … READ MORE >
Producer inflation rose more than forecast in September
Overall prices for final demand rose by 0.5% on the month while energy prices increased by 3.3%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims tick up in a still-tight labor market
New filings rose 2,000 to 207,000 for the week ending Sept. 30, lower than the median forecasts of 210,000. … READ MORE >
American consumers remain resilient as shutdown looms
Despite a rise in overall inflation because of higher oil prices, core inflation and spending volume remained soft in August. … READ MORE >
FOMC policy decision: No rate hike as Fed implies soft landing
The Fed maintained its policy rate in a range between 5.25% and 5.5% while revisions to its Summary of Economic Projections strongly imply that the central bank no longer expects a recession. … READ MORE >
Canada inflation surges 4%, exceeding forecasts
Canada’s Consumer Price Index increased by 4% on an annual basis in August, far exceeding the central bank’s 2% target. … READ MORE >
Low core inflation should keep the Fed from hiking rates
While we expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates unchanged on Wednesday, what its updated Summary of Economic Projections will look like remains less clear. … READ MORE >
R-star: The role of the natural rate of interest in monetary policy and economic growth
Known by economists as r-star, it has risen to a range between 1.75% and 2% in our estimation, a marked increase from the 0.5% that had prevailed over the previous 15 years. … READ MORE >