New filings for jobless benefits inched down last week to 192,000, remaining below the pre-pandemic level where they have been since December, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday. That low level continues to suggest a strong labor market where companies hold on to their ... READ MORE >
interest rates
Canada’s annual inflation slows again, yet Bank of Canada’s work is not done
Canada’s inflation continued to decelerate on a year-ago basis for the seventh month in a row as the Bank of Canada’s rate-hike campaign to slow down the economy showed more results. The consumer price index rose by 5.9% from 12 months ago in January, down from 6.3% in December, and lower than the ... READ MORE >
Jobs and inflation data show a still-strong economy
Both producer inflation and jobless claims came in stronger than expected in the most recent government reports released on Thursday. The data adds further pressure on the Federal Reserve as it aims to steer the economy toward a soft landing. With strong data accumulating, current conditions ... READ MORE >
Canada adds a robust 150,000 jobs in January as wage growth eases
The Canadian labor market continued to blow past expectations, adding 150,000 jobs in January despite mounting recession concerns, Statistics Canada reported on Friday. Robust job gains combined with the unemployment rate holding steady near a record low at 5% should push the expectations of a ... READ MORE >
Fed hikes rates by 25 basis points as it approaches peak
Price stability for the past three decades has been defined as a 2% inflation target, far below the elevated levels of the past year. Now, after a year of aggressively raising interest rates to bring down inflation, the Federal Reserve faces the monumental choice on when to pause its rate hikes. On ... READ MORE >
Real estate dealmaking adjusts amid fears of a frozen market
Dealmaking was supposed to be the name of the game at Information Management Network’s recent investment conference. The reality is that there are few deals to be made, despite an abundance of dry powder in the market. One industry veteran who co-led a panel at the event, IMN’s 19th Annual Winter ... READ MORE >
Canadian economy grew by 0.1% in November
Canada’s gross domestic product edged up by 0.1% in November, the same rate of growth as October, as tightened monetary policies continued to slow the economy. For last three months of 2022, average growth was 1.6% annualized, down from 2.9% in the previous quarter, Statistics Canada reported on ... READ MORE >
Labor costs slow, setting the stage for smaller Fed rate hike
Labor costs decelerated in the last quarter of 2022, adding to the justification for the Federal Reserve to slow its rate increases to 25 basis points after its meeting on Wednesday. The index showed that labor cost growth fell to 1.0% on a quarterly basis, and to 5.1% on a year-ago basis for all ... READ MORE >
FOMC preview: Fed to slow pace of rate hikes to 25 basis points
The easing of inflationary pressures, a slower pace of consumer spending and hiring, and the moderation of wage increases are coalescing in such a fashion that the Federal Open Market Committee next week should be comfortable slowing its rate increases. We anticipate that the FOMC will increase its ... READ MORE >
American consumers grow more cautious as spending falls
American consumers pulled back on their spending for the second month in a row in December amid a continuing economic slowdown and elevated inflation. Also contributing to the decline were weak income growth and the decreasing stock of excess savings. Spending fell by 0.2% in dollar terms and by 0.3% ... READ MORE >