The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index increased in March but is showing signs of impending economic damage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. … READ MORE >
pandemic
Chart of the day: Pending home sales drop again in February
Pending home sales in February dipped for the fourth straight month as depleted inventory and rising mortgage rates dampened sales. … READ MORE >
The housing market will endure interest rate hikes
While low interest rates have contributed to the increased demand for housing, the factors driving the market go beyond low rates and include a thriving economy, favorable demographics and a limited supply. … READ MORE >
Protests’ ramifications on the Canadian economy
The trucker convoy has shuttered the Canadian economy, with consequences reaching far beyond cross-border trade and encompassing the supply chain, inflation, the labor market and economic growth. … READ MORE >
U.S. January consumer price index: Inflation continues to surge
The top-line increase of 0.6% in January and 7.5% on a year-ago basis will intensify market speculation about a 50 basis-point hike at the March meeting. … READ MORE >
How construction firms can manage a fractured supply chain
Contractors are telling us that their biggest challenge is getting materials to job sites for installation. Items like structural steel joints, windows and door frames that used to take a couple of days to deliver are now taking months to arrive. … READ MORE >
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 >
U.S. December jobs report: Economy has strongest year of job creation on record
The total number of jobs created last year was roughly 6 million as the unemployment rate declined from 6.5% at the start of the year to 3.9%. … READ MORE >
ADP jobs report: Service sector led an upside surprise in December
Private businesses in the United States added 807,000 jobs in December, the most since May, pointing to a stronger rebound of the labor market, according to a report from ADP on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Expansion continues despite omicron, supply chain uncertainty
The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index remained solid in December at 1.3 standard deviations above neutral as the economy continued to expand into the end of the year. But that strength is in question as the omicron variant continues to spread. … READ MORE >