Canada's inflation plunged to 5.2% from 5.9% on a year-ago basis in February as comparisons to last year’s elevated numbers kicked in, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday. Prices spiked during the same period last year because of supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine. Inflation ... READ MORE >
Tuan Nguyen
Consumer sentiment fell in March, before the financial turmoil
Consumer sentiment in March dropped to 63.4 from 67 as consumers’ confidence in the current economic conditions and their expectations both worsened on the month, according to the University of Michigan’s survey released Friday. The decline in sentiment, though, was not influenced by the ... READ MORE >
How many jobs need to be sacrificed to tame inflation? Cost is rising, RSM models show.
Events are outpacing the best-laid plans of policymakers. The current turmoil in the financial sector will place constraints on the Federal Reserve’s efforts to restore price stability. Our research indicates that the Fed, facing persistent inflation, will for now have to accept a ... READ MORE >
Jobless claims and housing starts come in hotter than expected
Jobless claims and housing starts blew past forecasts in the most recent reports released Thursday, both showing stronger-than-expected results amid a looming economic downturn. New jobless claims fell by 20,000 last week to 192,000 following an unexpected spike in the previous week, ... READ MORE >
Canada’s job gains came in hotter than expected as wage growth spiked
February's jobs data in Canada showed a still-strong labor market that did not offer any relief in terms of keeping inflation under control. The net change in total employment dropped to 21,800 from a whopping 150,000 increase in January yet remained above the expectations of only ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims spike to highest level since December
New claims for jobless benefits last week came in hotter than expected at 211,000, significantly higher than the 190,000 of the previous week, the Department of Labor reported on Thursday. The increase was in line with expectations following a large number of high-profile layoff announcements ... READ MORE >
Job openings remained plentiful in January, adding to pressure on the Fed
Job openings fell in January yet still came in hotter than expected, offering the Federal Reserve no relief in its fight against inflation. The central bank faces a crucial decision when it meets in two weeks: Whether to maintain its current peak policy rate of 5.5%, as it had announced a few ... READ MORE >
U.S. service sector expands in back-to-back months
The service sector continued its strong growth in February on the heels of robust new orders, business activity and improvement in inventories. The U.S. service purchasing managers index registered at 55.1, only slightly lower than the 55.2 in January, according data released Friday by the ... READ MORE >
New jobless claims fall again amid strong labor market
Initial claims for unemployment benefits inched down further last week, remaining near a multi-decade low amid a persistently tight job market. New claims dropped by 2,000 to 190,000 for the week ending Feb. 24, lower than the pre-pandemic average of 218,000, according to Labor Department ... READ MORE >
Manufacturing sector shrinks again in February amid falling demand
The manufacturing sector contracted for the third straight month as higher borrowing costs continued to affect demand. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index in February was 47.7, remaining below the long-term breakeven point of 48.7. An index above 48.7 indicates an ... READ MORE >