From infrastructure to drug pricing, our senior analysts highlight the latest issues affecting the life sciences industry. … READ MORE >
Covid-19
July Consumer Price Index: Inflation moderates and likely posts cyclical peak at 5.4%
The five-month surge in inflation has most likely resulted in a cyclical peak, reaching 5.4% in July on the back of a 0.5% increase on the month. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Mortgage rates resume their downward march
Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields have drifted lower over the past couple of months, bringing mortgage rates to the lowest levels in nearly six months and well below historical levels. … READ MORE >
Inflation and small firms: The restaurant squeeze is on
The recent surge in inflation is now a significant issue for smaller firms, and nowhere is this more evident than in the restaurant industry. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: How the “real” unemployment rate affects policy decisions
Even as the Labor Department reported on Friday that the unemployment rate had fallen to 5.4%, it is probably an undercount. That’s not the intention, but instead stems from the long-held methodology of how the Labor Department determines who is in the labor force and who is not. … READ MORE >
July employment report: Robust gains mark summer hiring peak
The U.S. economy is expanding in a robust manner and it should be of little surprise that hiring is on a tear, averaging 831,000 new jobs over the past three months as the service sector continues to gain pace. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index remains stout despite risk of virus resurgence
The RSM UK Financial Conditions Index stands just below one standard deviation above neutral, implying that conditions are ripe for a robust recovery of the British economy heading into the latter portion of the year and an economic expansion next year. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims still elevated at 385,000 as the economy expands
First-time jobless claims decreased by 15,000 to 385,000 for the week ending July 31 while continuing claims for the week ending July 24 stands at 2.9 million, according to government data released Thursday. … READ MORE >
Lack of inventory dampening auto sales
Supply chain constraints inside the global auto ecosystem have dampened overall sales as producers struggle to keep up with demand until advanced microchip production ramps up. … READ MORE >
Jobs report preview: Education and service hiring to drive gains in July
We expect a net increase in total employment of 950,000 and a decline to 5.7% in the unemployment rate when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its jobs report on Friday. … READ MORE >