The RSM Canada Financial Conditions Index continues to indicate reduced levels of risk being priced into the commodity, equity, bond and money markets. … READ MORE >
coronavirus
How an ESOP can preserve a business, and a legacy
Many owners in the construction industry are looking to the employee stock option plan, or ESOP, when putting a succession plan in place. … READ MORE >
May personal income and spending: Weak top line, but data looks better beyond the noise
Although personal income declined by 2% in May and personal spending was flat, according to government data released Friday, one has to look beyond the noise associated with the significant fiscal firepower unleashed early this year to understand this improvement. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Industrial trade deficit rises amid growing domestic demand
The industrial goods trade deficit increased to $36.7 billion in May from $34.39 billion in April, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels of trade deficits, according to Commerce Department data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Data deluge: Jobless claims ease to 411,000 as durable goods orders rise 1.1%
First-time jobless claims eased to 411,000 for the week ending June 19, a slight decline from the revised figure of 418,000 for the previous week, according to government data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >
FOMC comment: Fed creates context to end pandemic policy efforts
At the monthly meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank kept its policy rate unchanged in a range between zero and 25 basis points. But it is clear we have entered the beginning of the end to the Fed’s emergency programs. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Housing market stays steady despite headwinds
Housing starts rose 3.6% to 1.57 million in May while permits dipped 3% to 1.68 million, according to Commerce Department data released on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales cool as stimulus boost wears off
After two months of growth in retail sales fueled in part by stimulus payments, retail sales cooled off in May, falling 1.3% and missing analyst estimates of a 0.8% gain. … READ MORE >
FOMC preview: Growth and inflation and tapering, oh my!
The Federal Open Market Committee will leave its policy rate unchanged at its meeting this week, but that decision will mask an underlying shift in its economic projections and policies. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. household net worth surges, but the gains are uneven
The net worth of U.S. households in the first quarter increased by nearly $5 trillion, or 3.8%, from the previous quarter to a record of $136.9 trillion. On an annual basis, that gain was $25.5 trillion, or 22.9%. But not all households benefited equally. … READ MORE >