The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, a $250 billion legislative package passed in June to facilitate the research and development of science and technology, represents a sea change in U.S. economic strategy and a return of the government’s use of industrial policy. But the embrace of industrial policy to solve economic and strategic problems carries with it considerable possibilities and risks. … READ MORE >
Joseph Brusuelas
Initial jobless claims imply that ending benefits does not improve employment numbers
First-time claims inched higher by 2,000, to 373,000, for the week ending July 3 from an upwardly revised 371,000 for the week ending June 26, according to the Labor Department. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: May was another good month for the labor market
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey suggests that American workers are enjoying a moment when work is plentiful and firms appear willing to meet demand for higher wages. … READ MORE >
Economic update: GDP to grow above 7% this year as expansion takes hold
The American economy will continue to boom in the second half of the year following what we expect will be 7.8% growth through the first six months. … READ MORE >
June jobs report: Let the good times roll
The U.S. economy generated a robust 850,000 jobs in June while at the same time the unemployment rate advanced to 5.9% amid an increase of 151,602 workers in the labor force, according to government data released Friday. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims resume their downward trend, falling to 364,000
Initial jobless claims declined to 364,000 for the week ending June 26, resuming their downward trend following a few weeks of flat to down readings. … READ MORE >
RSM Canada Financial Conditions Index: Accommodation to continue while economy shows signs of revitalization
The RSM Canada Financial Conditions Index continues to indicate reduced levels of risk being priced into the commodity, equity, bond and money markets. … READ MORE >
May personal income and spending: Weak top line, but data looks better beyond the noise
Although personal income declined by 2% in May and personal spending was flat, according to government data released Friday, one has to look beyond the noise associated with the significant fiscal firepower unleashed early this year to understand this improvement. … READ MORE >
$1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure agreement reflects critical need for modernization
The $1.2 trillion agreement announced on Thursday, while it still faces hurdles, would increase long-run productivity in the economy, lift living standards and has the potential to lift the growth of economy above the current long-run rate of 1.8%. … READ MORE >
Data deluge: Jobless claims ease to 411,000 as durable goods orders rise 1.1%
First-time jobless claims eased to 411,000 for the week ending June 19, a slight decline from the revised figure of 418,000 for the previous week, according to government data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >