Underlying inflation appears to have flattened out near 2.5% on an annual basis with service sector costs rising at a 3.4% rate. … READ MORE >
Federal Reserve
Market minute: Is the fight against PCE inflation like waiting for Godot?
The January PCE inflation report, to be released Friday, will most likely show a 0.3% top-line increase on the month and a 2.5% increase from one year ago. … READ MORE >
Volatility in markets: Hedging risk in an era of growing uncertainty
It is clear that volatility in interest rates, bond yields and foreign exchange markets will accelerate and that firms will need to consider ways to hedge that volatility. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Soft economic landing at risk
Businesses, and the economy overall, face uncertainty amid the regime change in the global economy. … READ MORE >
Housing starts plunge amid severe weather and elevated mortgage rates
The one-time seasonal factors that contributed to the decline should subside. Permits for new buildings and homes held up in January, rising by 0.1%. … READ MORE >
Producer inflation topped forecasts in January, led by food and energy prices
The producer price index rose by 0.4% in January, following an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in December, making it the hottest two-month stretch of inflation since February last year. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Money markets signal an easing in 10-year yields
A look at the spread between the two-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields in comparison with the Treasury term premium implies room for further easing in long-term yields. … READ MORE >
Inflation accelerates in January amid concerns about rising expectations
The CPI data for January will feed into expectations that the Fed is done cutting rates just as policy uncertainty on trade and immigration is likely to feed into rising inflation expectations.
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Market minute: The problem of sticky and stubborn inflation
While housing inflation is easing, owners’ equivalent rent remains one of the two major catalysts for rising cost pressures on American households. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Foreign purchases of U.S. Treasury issuance
Through the end of November, the largest foreign holders of U.S. debt were Japan at $1.09 trillion, China at $768 billion and the U.K. at $765 billion. … READ MORE >