Whether it is high single-digit borrowing costs for large multinationals or double-digit financing costs for middle market firms, elevated interest rates have become a fact of life for firm managers. … READ MORE >
interest rates
Industrial production rebounds as housing starts plunge
Housing starts dropped by 14.7% to 1.32 million on an annualized rate, the lowest level since last August. … READ MORE >
U.S. consumer sentiment falls as inflation stays sticky
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to 77.9 in April from 79.4, according to data released on Friday. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada holds its rate at 5% in dovish statement
The Bank of Canada has signaled that it is ready to take the foot off the brakes in June as long as job and inflation numbers progress as expected. … READ MORE >
Hot inflation data dims prospects for a Fed rate cut in June
The year-ago consumer price index rose to 3.5% from 3.2% for overall inflation and stalled at 3.8% for the core inflation reading. … READ MORE >
Financial markets update: An improved outlook for corporate borrowing
With spreads on corporate bonds easing, borrowing by firms will bolster a sustained expansion and an economy that outperforms expectations this year. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada preview: A dovish tone with rate cuts on horizon
The Bank of Canada will almost certainly leave its policy rate unchanged when it meets this week, but the tone of its statement will shift to dovish. … READ MORE >
Canada’s unemployment rate surpasses 6% for the first time in over two years
While Canada has added more than 300,000 jobs over the past year, the working age population has grown by more than a million, resulting an inevitable rise in the unemployment rate. … READ MORE >
U.S. jobs report: American exceptionalism amid dynamic growth
The American economy continued to show resilience in March, adding 303,000 jobs as the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%. … READ MORE >
Service sector continues to normalize in March
The ISM services composite index fell to 51.4 from 52.6, while the prices paid subindex dropped to 53.4 from 58.6. … READ MORE >