Canada’s gross domestic product in November rose by 0.6%, surpassing the pre-pandemic level by 0.2% thanks to growth across almost all sectors of the economy. … READ MORE >
omicron variant
Acceleration of wage increases raises caution flag for policymakers
The wage component of the index has now accelerated from a 2.5% rate of increase in the third quarter of 2020 to 4.2% a year later and, most recently, to 4.5% in the fourth quarter last year on an annualized basis. … READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Omicron’s dampening effect
The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index receded again in January, providing another indication of the direct effect of the omicron variant on the business community and a sign of the eventual moderation of the post-crisis surge in growth. … READ MORE >
U.S. jobs preview: Stick a giant omicron asterisk on the January report
The omicron variant has almost surely created significant distortions in the American workforce that will become evident when the jobs report for January is released on Friday. … READ MORE >
Monetary and fiscal policy in a changing economy: Reflation, and the risks that remain
The last in a series of articles regarding monetary and fiscal policy as the economy restarts within a changing framework of labor force choices, automation and pricing. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Consumer confidence falls amid omicron fears
The consumer confidence index inched down to 67.2 in January from 70.6 in December as concerns over the omicron variant’s surge weighed on consumers both now and in the future. … READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of Jan. 24
From ethical questions for neurologists and clinical research to an omicron-focused vaccine, each week we highlight five things to know in life sciences. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Initial jobless claims drop as omicron crests
New filings for jobless claims last week fell to 260,000, following the 14-week high of 290,000 in the previous week as COVID-19 cases continued to retreat from their record high in January, according to government data released Thursday.
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U.S. GDP increases 6.9% in fourth quarter
The American economy closed out last year on an upbeat note, finishing with a 6.9% growth rate in the fourth quarter on a seasonally adjusted annualized pace, the fastest pace since the 7.2% rate in 1984. … READ MORE >
Fed to use conventional and unconventional tools to obtain price stability
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled that it intends to use both conventional and unconventional tools to address risks to the economic outlook caused by inflation. … READ MORE >