We think it probable that the pervasive uncertainty around trade policy caused businesses to simply remain in place until they had more information about the tariffs. … READ MORE >
Joseph Brusuelas
With trade truce, U.S. and China avoid a decoupling, but devil is in the details
The bottom line is that American firms can now prepare for a significant increase in the cost of imports, which will then be passed along to consumers. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: CPI will start to reflect tariffs, especially in used autos
The April consumer price index will provide insight in the early days of the current trade conflict when it is released Wednesday as signs of rising prices for apparel, autos, shoes and toys will begin to appear. … READ MORE >
The U.S.-UK trade agreement that isn’t
A trade agreement where the details are still being negotiated is not an agreement. It’s a memorandum of understanding that over time may yield a productive framework for trade or not. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: External purchases of U.S. Treasury notes
While foreign purchases of Treasury securities remain stout, they have declined from a cyclical peak, with five-year bond yields falling since the beginning of the year. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Oil prices are falling, so why not gas?
Since hitting $80 a barrel on Jan. 15, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude has fallen by nearly 30%, hitting $56.69 on May 5. Retail gasoline prices, meanwhile, have risen slightly. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Part-time employment boosted jobs numbers, but it won’t last
The rise in transportation and warehousing employment in April can be attributed to businesses front-running the tariffs. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: A brief word about productivity and protectionism
The shift toward protectionism all the more ill-timed given the monumental investment into artificial intelligence and how it will drive innovation and productivity into the next generation. … READ MORE >
On the knife’s edge: U.S. GDP contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter
The American economy is navigating an air-pocket that has caused it to rapidly lose altitude. It has entered a period that is best characterized as stagflation and that will in the near term limit the degrees of freedom on policy at the Federal Reserve. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: U.S. heavy truck sales point to slowing economy
Production and sales of heavy trucks are slowing ahead of the shocks linked to tariffs and what will be further declines in demand by households and commercial ventures, data shows. … READ MORE >