The outbreak of the coronavirus and other economic threats add up to a series of supply, demand and financial shocks that now threaten normal life and commercial activity throughout the global community. … READ MORE >
coronavirus
Coronavirus impact on the consumer products ecosystem
In a very short period of time, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on economies throughout the world and across all industries and sectors. The earliest stages of the U.S. consumer supply chain are heavily dependent upon China.
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Bank of Canada lowers policy rate in response to health crisis
Canada’s central bank moved aggressively to drop its policy rate by 50 basis points, to 1.25%, following action taken by the Federal Reserve on Tuesday. … READ MORE >
Jobs report preview: Last estimate before coronavirus impact
We expect an increase of 178,000 in total employment when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its first estimate of nonfarm payrolls on Friday, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%. … READ MORE >
Initial unemployment claims, coronavirus and recession probabilities
Over the next few weeks, policymakers will receive high frequency data that will capture supply and demand shocks that are going to cascade throughout the economy. … READ MORE >
As coronavirus spreads, demand destruction will set in
We are now beginning to observe some demand destruction around the public health crisis, and we expect this will be the major narrative once data begins to arrive in coming weeks. … READ MORE >
The Fed cut its policy rate by a half percentage point. Expect more to come.
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday reduced its policy rate to a range between 1.0% and 1.25% as the central bank implemented a preemptive cut to bolster financial conditions as the coronavirus continues to spread. … READ MORE >
Anatomy of a meltdown: Financial markets finally take notice of supply shocks
Financial market across the international economy are extracting a powerful toll on portfolio valuations amidst a volatile landscape. … READ MORE >
Coronavirus reveals vulnerability in the life science supply chain
There is growing concern on how the coronavirus outbreak could affect the life science industry, especially the availability and quality of drugs and medical equipment. … READ MORE >
ISM manufacturing index declines in February
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index — a key gauge of U.S. factory activity — dropped to 50.1 in February, from 50.9 a month earlier, and below the consensus of 50.5. … READ MORE >