Premature calls for the Federal Reserve to pause or pivot on its campaign to tame inflation should be politely dismissed given the 0.1% increase in top-line inflation in August. That gain translates into a 8.3% year-over-year increase in the headline number, according to government data released ... READ MORE >
Joseph Brusuelas
Falling gas prices imply further inflation relief
Retail gasoline prices in the United States are poised to continue their recent decline as the summer driving season ends and households fall back into more traditional schedules. The average retail gasoline price has declined to $3.78 per gallon from a peak of $5.01 on June 13—a 21.2% drop—and ... READ MORE >
U.S. August jobs report: Another robust month as employment increases by 315,000
American labor market dynamics remain tilted toward sustained strength in hiring and rising wages. In August, U.S. total employment increased by 315,000 while the unemployment rate increased to 3.7% (3.65%). The labor force participation rate advanced to 62.4% on the back of 786,000 people ... READ MORE >
ISM manufacturing: Sentiment points to modest increase in growth
Manufacturing sentiment in August pointed toward a modest acceleration in growth inside the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing survey, even as the headline number stayed flat at 52.8 compared to July. This data, which was released on Thursday, will almost certainly bolster calls for a ... READ MORE >
Jobless claims show that jobs remain plentiful
First-time claims for unemployment benefits declined to 232,000 for the week ending Aug. 27 as continuing claims increased modestly to 1.438 million from a revised 1.412 million for the week ending Aug. 20. From our vantage point, it would appear that the pace of firings is settling into a pace ... READ MORE >
How high must unemployment rise to tame inflation?
Restoring price stability is now the paramount policy goal at the Federal Reserve. Chairman Jerome Powell went out of his way on Friday to point out the lessons of the high inflation in the 1970s and 1980s, and the sacrifice it took to wring it out of the economy after years of delays. "Our aim is to ... READ MORE >
Powell at Jackson Hole: From era of abundance to one of insufficient supply
The pandemic has been the catalyst for a seismic shift in the American economy as it shifts from an era of abundance to one of insufficient supply. For households, this implies a shift from what we call rational inattention regarding consumption to a more rational approach to spending. As ... READ MORE >
Expectations at the end of business cycles
The Federal Reserve has a blunt yet effective instrument to fight inflation: raising the federal funds rate. But using it requires a delicate balancing act. In the best-case scenario, the Fed, by raising rates, reduces discretionary spending enough to stabilize prices, and the economy continues to ... READ MORE >
Jackson Hole preview: Powell to set tone for next few years
The conversation around monetary policy among market participants has unfortunately revolved around a potential pivot by the Federal Reserve toward reducing rates because of an elevated risk of a recession. But Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will have the last word. His much-anticipated ... READ MORE >
US July CPI: Inflation posts likely peak as commodity, gas and transportation prices fall
Commodity, oil, and gasoline prices declined noticeably in July, driving the pace of top-line inflation lower even as core inflation continued to increase at a torrid pace. This will provide a large boost to overall consumption and economic activity as Americans likely spent roughly $400 million less on ... READ MORE >