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 >
interest rates
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 >
Market minute: Soft economic landing at risk
Businesses, and the economy overall, face uncertainty amid the regime change in the global economy. … READ MORE >
Canada’s consumer price index reaches 1.9% as tax holiday dampens inflation
Canada’s consumer price index reached 1.9 per cent in January as the GST/HST tax break played a major role in dampening inflation. With inflation largely stable, the Bank of Canada’s next move would depend largely on jobs data. … READ MORE >
Canada’s unemployment rate falls to 6.6% as business sentiment improves
Canada’s economic resurgence appears well under way as January saw 76,000 new jobs and a lower unemployment rate as business sentiment improved. … READ MORE >
Job growth cools in January amid revisions to labor force estimate
The tailwind in the American economy resulted in 143,000 jobs added in January and a decline in the jobless rate to 4%. … READ MORE >
Labor demand cools in December
Job openings fell to 7.6 million from 8.2 million in November, near the pre-pandemic level and providing the Fed with more relief regarding wage pressure on inflation. … READ MORE >
Even with pause, Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s response establish volatile new economic reality
While a reprieve on tariffs may be welcomed, the back-and-forth between the U.S. and Canada laid bare Canada’s economic vulnerability amid ongoing political volatility. … READ MORE >
U.S. households show robust gains on spending and income
Robust income and spending gains continue to underscore a strong economy that is benefiting not only from real income gains but also from rising equity and home prices. … READ MORE >
Fed pauses rate cuts as inflation flattens out and policy changes loom
The Fed’s decisions set up an inevitable clash with President Trump, who is on record as wanting lower rates in contrast with the hawkish pause adopted by the Fed. … READ MORE >