Despite elevated inflation and interest rates, as well as tightening financial conditions and softening demand for loans, the economy has chugged along, thanks in no small part to strong consumer spending. … READ MORE >
Inflation
Retail sales rise as American consumers stay resilient
While the top-line number came out lower than expected, spending on retail goods continued to show an underlying strength in April. … READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment drops as inflation expectations rise
The report showed a marked increase in long-term inflation expectations for the next five to 10 years, rising to 3.2% from 3.0% to reach the highest level since 2011. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims and producer inflation show mixed results
Initial jobless claims rose by 9.1% last week to 264,000, the most since 2021 as producer prices rebounded in April, largely because of comparisons to the surging prices a year ago. … READ MORE >
Inflation remains sticky in April, rising by 4.9% over a year ago
April’s increase in the consumer price index was in line with RSM’s forecast of a 4.9% gain and the consensus estimate of 5%, and will most likely support the doves at the Federal Reserve who want to pause interest rate increases. … READ MORE >
Fed survey shows a notable decline in loan demand
Roughly 56% of loan officers noted a decline in demand for loans by large and middle market firms, while 53% reported a decline in credit demand by small firms, according to the Fed’s quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey released Monday. … READ MORE >
Fed hikes rate a quarter point while creating framework for a pause
The 25 basis-point increase was accompanied by changes in the Federal Open Market Committee’s statement that imply a possible pause at the Fed’s next meeting in June. … READ MORE >
Fed’s gauges on wages and inflation seal the deal on another rate hike
The Federal Reserve’s key labor costs metric for the first quarter came in hotter than expected, helping to seal the deal on another rate hike in May, while raising the probability of another one in June. … READ MORE >
U.S. growth slows to 1.1% as businesses pull back
Growth in the first quarter expanded at a 1.1% annualized pace and by 1.6% on a year-ago basis as a modest inventory correction and a large pullback in business investment offset the increase in household consumption. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence drops to lowest level since July 2022
Consumer confidence in April dipped to the lowest level since last July, driven by the deterioration in economic expectations as recession concerns mount. … READ MORE >