In a break from recent years, ,American consumers began the year on a weak note as retail sales fell 0.8% on a monthly basis in January, according to Census Bureau data. … READ MORE >
Federal Reserve
CPI: Fed to remain patient as real wages rise 1.4%
January’s data shows that inflation is continuing to ease even as wages increase on an inflation-adjusted basis—an undeniably positive development. … READ MORE >
Fed survey shows further improvement in financial conditions
The worst of monetary tightening for the financial market may be behind us, according to the latest quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey released by the Federal Reserve … READ MORE >
Service sector grows faster than expected in January
The ISM service data is another reason to believe the Federal Reserve should not rush cutting rates this year. … READ MORE >
Hiring accelerates in January as unemployment remains below 4%
The U.S. economy created 353,000 new jobs in January on the back of an upward revision to 333,000 from 216,000 in December. … READ MORE >
Productivity continues to rise in potential game changer for economy
The increase in productivity has most likely been a catalyst for both robust economic growth and disinflation over the past year. … READ MORE >
The Fed’s key wage gauge slows to lowest level since 2021
The overall index eased to 0.9% in the fourth quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, down from 1.1% in the previous quarter. … READ MORE >
Strong job openings and consumer confidence point to robust employment gains
Job openings inched up to more than 9 million, surpassing expectations and reflecting strong demand in December. … READ MORE >
Financial conditions turn positive amid economic resilience
For the first time since February 2022, the RSM US Financial Conditions Index has turned positive amid a robust economy, strong labor market, easing inflation and rising real wages. … READ MORE >
Spending remains strong as a key inflation gauge declines toward Fed’s target
Inflation dynamics to close out last year strongly point to a near-term return to the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target amid a solid labor market, strong spending and real income gains. … READ MORE >