The U.S. service purchasing managers index registered at 55.1 in February, only slightly lower than the prior month at 55.2. … READ MORE >
Tuan Nguyen
New jobless claims fall again amid strong labor market
New claims dropped by 2,000 to 190,000 for the week ending Feb. 24, lower than the pre-pandemic average at 218,000, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Manufacturing sector shrinks again in February amid falling demand
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index in February was 47.7, remaining below the long-term breakeven point of 48.7. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence falls in February amid a worsening outlook
The top-line confidence index dropped to 102.9 from 106.0 in the prior month, while the expectations index fell to 69.7 from 76.0. … READ MORE >
Canada’s economy stalled even as consumer spending held up
The Canadian economy stalled in the fourth quarter, eking out a 0.03% gain in what was a significant downside surprise from expectations of a 1.6% increase.= … READ MORE >
Business spending on equipment rose in January
Investments in business equipment posted a sharp rebound in January after two consecutive months of disappointing declines. … READ MORE >
January’s spending shows a hot economy despite rate hikes
The Fed’s key gauge of inflation—the personal consumption expenditures deflator—rose by 0.6% on the month for both the top-line and the core numbers, bringing the year-over-year inflation to 5.4% and 4.7% for the two series, respectively. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims inch down amid tight labor market
New filings for jobless benefits inched down last week to 192,000, remaining below the pre-pandemic level where they have been since December. … READ MORE >
Canada’s annual inflation slows again, yet Bank of Canada’s work is not done
The consumer price index rose by 5.9% from 12 months ago in January, down from 6.3% in December, and lower than the market’s forecast at 6.1%. … READ MORE >
U.S. inventories are growing at twice the rate of sales
The surge in inventories raises the risk that firms will be caught with excess supplies just as demand begins to slow down this year. … READ MORE >