Consumers face the possibility of double-digit increases in many grocery items given the quantity of fruit and vegetables imported from those two countries. … READ MORE >
Joseph Brusuelas
U.S. tariffs and their impact on growth and inflation
While it is too early to quantify the tariffs’ overall impact, a rough estimate implies between a 0.5% and 0.75% drag on growth this year and a one-time 0.6% increase in prices. … READ MORE >
Defense buildup in Europe points to a broader fiscal realignment
The financial implications of higher European defense spending implies that a broader fiscal realignment could take place. That is what is behind the rising equity valuations and the rise in the benchmark German 10-year yield. … READ MORE >
Market minute: The volatility smile in a time of trade disruption
One way to understand the financial impact of policy uncertainty is to look at the implied volatility of important bilateral currency pairs. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Credit availability and consumer expectations
Despite a strong jobs market and rising real wages, expectations around the provision of credit remain low. … READ MORE >
January PCE index: Strong income gains amid elevated inflation
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 >
Market minute: Rising short-term inflation expectations
But given the general uncertainty around trade policy, one should begin looking more closely at short-term inflation expectations, which have been on the rise. … READ MORE >
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: The impact of China’s ailing property markets
The Chinese Real Estate Climate Index, released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics, stands at 92.78, well below its historical average of 99.47. … READ MORE >
Market minute: Complacency in markets understates growing risk
Several measures of risk point to increasing complacency in financial markets despite the possibility of rising interest rates, changing trade and fiscal policies, and rising inflation. … READ MORE >