We will soon enter the era of post-pandemic economics that will feature stratospheric government deficits necessitating the turn to a seldom used policy called yield curve control. … READ MORE >
Covid-19
Defying gravity: The growing disconnect between the real economy and surging equity markets
There is a growing disconnect between the real economy and equity valuations that, if sustained, will result in slower growth and increased regulation of the investment industry. And that, in turn, will further undermine the legitimate underpinnings of capitalism. … READ MORE >
The coronavirus and civil unrest have highlighted the racial disparity in the American labor market
There is a clear and easily identifiable inequality in employment opportunities that persists to this day. Even as the worst of the economic free fall is now behind the U.S., the opportunity to address long-term and systemic inequities cannot be missed. … READ MORE >
Modeling the spread of the coronavirus: Two different worlds in the U.S.
Differences among the states in their responses to the coronavirus outbreak will undoubtedly affect the duration of the pandemic and the speed of the economic recovery in various regions of the country. … READ MORE >
U.S. jobs report: Recalled workers increase by 2.7 million in surprise lift to labor market
The nascent awakening of the U.S. economy in May resulted in 2.7 million workers being recalled to their jobs, 2.5 million jobs created and a decline in the unemployment rate to 13.3%. … READ MORE >
Trump administration identifies 5 companies for government support in vaccine effort
Drug developers, academic institutions and government agencies across the globe are investigating more than 100 potential vaccines for the coronavirus. The Trump administration on Wednesday identified a handful of organizations that it believes are the most likely to produce a viable vaccine candidate, The New York Times reported. This is … … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims fall in most states, but the damage has been done
Almost every state had a decline in initial jobless claims in the last week of May, as a ninth week was added to the trend of decreasing yet still substantial household economic misery. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims: Some good news amid continued carnage
The pace of first-time jobless claims declined for the ninth consecutive week, to 1.83 million, bringing the cumulative total of those who have lost jobs over the past 11 weeks to 42.6 million. … READ MORE >
Preview: May U.S. employment report
We expect the U.S. economy to shed 7.8 million jobs and the unemployment to reach 21.5% when the May U.S. employment estimate is released on Friday. … READ MORE >
Latest ISM manufacturing data shows signs of stabilization
The Institute for Supply Management index, a closely watched measure of U.S. manufacturing activity, rose in May for the first time since January, hinting that activity is beginning to stabilize following huge market disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The index improved to 43.1 in May from an 11-year low … … READ MORE >