While there has been a clear upward trend in new unemployment claims, the number remained relatively low compared to the historical standard, especially with significant downward revisions to data for the last two weeks of July. … READ MORE >
Inflation
U.S. July employment report: A recession is not yet at hand
Economies in recession do not produce 528,000 jobs in a given month and have 3.5% unemployment rates. Since January, total employment has increased by 3.3 million jobs and the unemployment rate has declined from 4% to 3.5%. With such a robust labor market, claims that the economy is in recession … … READ MORE >
American spending and income eroded by multi-decade high inflation
As the first-round effect of inflation on goods and services continues to play out, the second-round effect on wage pressure is showing more concerning signs. … READ MORE >
FOMC policy decision: Fed hikes policy rate by 75 basis points
At this critical juncture, with the policy rate residing in neutral terrain, it is natural for the Fed to adjust its rhetoric as it considers next steps. … READ MORE >
Monetary policy tightening, the bond market and the business cycle
Economic shocks including inflation, interest rate increases and energy market turmoil are hitting the global economy and showing up in fixed income markets. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence drops as new home sales slump
Consumer confidence continued to fall in July to the lowest level since February 2021 amid inflation angst and an economic slowdown. Sales of new homes fell by 8.1% in June. … READ MORE >
Canada inflation hits 8.1% but shows signs of softening
Inflation reached 8.1% in June in Canada, the highest since January 1983, although the pace of the increase eased compared to previous months. … READ MORE >
Travel industry, expecting busy summer, casts wary eye on inflation
This summer was supposed to be the season of revenge travel. But that was before a new risk emerged: stubborn, elevated inflation. … READ MORE >
How lumber tells the story of home building during the pandemic
Large home builders operate with scale advantages, which have allowed them to endure wild swings in costs of inputs like lumber. It’s a different story for small and midsize builders. … READ MORE >
Inflation and gross margins—who is winning? Part 1: The transportation sector
RSM took a detailed look at gross margins across different peer groups in the industrials sector to see how each has fared during this time of high inflation. … READ MORE >