January was the worst month of the pandemic, with nearly 98,000 U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19. Now, though, the totals are easing, with new cases receding to 151,000 per day by the end of January. … READ MORE >
Covid-19
U.S. personal income and savings: Households are building impressive cash positions
Americans’ personal income increased by 0.6% in December, driving savings positions higher. The gains are creating the conditions for what we believe will be a consumer-led boom in the second half of the year. … READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of Jan. 25
This week’s roundup includes reads about a crucial shift in the life sciences ecosystem; the interplay between the digital future of life science, the development of next generation therapeutics, and the promise of personalized medicine. We also take a look at news about COVID-19 variants and drug pricing. … READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Mixed results and a potential pause in the recovery
Sentiment among manufacturers has receded again because of a rapid spread of COVID-19 that has taken a toll on the labor market, consumer demand and the economy. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: New home sales bounce back
New home sales bounced back to 842,000 in December, representing a 1.8% increase over the previous month, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Fourth-quarter GDP: Growth eases as economy decelerates
The American economy posted 4% growth in the fourth quarter as the recovery from the depths of the pandemic decelerated into the end of 2020. … READ MORE >
FOMC meeting: Fed adds to debate on further fiscal aid
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that the arrival of vaccines has bolstered the economic outlook for later this year and noted the role of monetary policy in combating the adverse economic impact caused by the pandemic. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. durable goods orders rise for eighth straight month
Orders for long-lasting factory goods increased in December, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data released on Wednesday. New orders for durable goods rose 0.2% to a seasonally adjusted $245.3 billion in December, following an upwardly revised 1.2% gain (previously 1%) in November. … READ MORE >
Economic policy primer: The difference between aid and stimulus
Why is trillions in spending needed to combat the economic downturn of the coronavirus? The answer is in the difference between fiscal aid and stimulus and the lessons learned from the policy response to the 2008 financial crisis. … READ MORE >
How regulatory oversight may change at five agencies under Biden
With President Joe Biden’s cabinet taking shape, regulated entities in the financial services industry like banks, specialty lenders and capital markets firms are starting to get a better picture of what changes might be in store. … READ MORE >