This is what a soft landing looks like. Through November this year, the American economy has produced nearly 2.6 million jobs as inflation has eased from 6.4% to 3.2%, all while the unemployment rate has remained below 4%. This is not a recession but instead is a sustained expansion amid labor ... READ MORE >
wages
Fed’s gauges on wages and inflation seal the deal on another rate hike
The Federal Reserve's key labor costs metric for the first quarter came in hotter than expected Friday, helping to seal the deal on the central bank's 10th consecutive rate hike in May, while raising the probability of another one in June. The Employment Cost Index rose 1.2% in the quarter, and the ... READ MORE >
Food manufacturing job numbers could signal slowing food inflation
Last Friday’s jobs report brought good news for the food manufacturing industry and a potential signal that surging food costs may begin to temper. The food manufacturing industry added 8,300 non-supervisory and production jobs in September representing a monthly increase of 0.6% and an increase of ... READ MORE >
Consumers spent more in March despite rising inflation
American consumers defied rising inflation and market uncertainties in March, continuing to spend more on goods and services as their wages increased and they saved less. Personal spending rose by 0.2% in March on an inflation-adjusted basis, following an upwardly revised 0.1% increase in February. The ... READ MORE >
Government services companies enthusiastic about infrastructure and 5G
The government services ecosystem in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was enthusiastic about opportunities related to infrastructure and 5G. The mergers and acquisitions environment is active but somewhat throttled. Labor remains a pressing issue, but hybrid work patterns are providing greater ... READ MORE >
U.S. January consumer price index: Inflation continues to surge
Nothing in January’s consumer price index data released on Thursday implies that the surge in inflation has peaked. Last month's CPI increase will add to the difficult choices at the Federal Reserve on the magnitude of the interest rate hikes that make up the next step of its policy ... READ MORE >
Acceleration of wage increases raises caution flag for policymakers
Friday’s report that the Employment Cost Index had increased at the fastest pace in decades confirmed that the Great Resignation is bolstering the bargaining power of workers. 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 ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: Help wanted
All industries are grappling with labor shortages and the retail sector is no different. Most retailers have already started ramping up for the holiday shopping season as consumers begin their holiday spending earlier and earlier each year. For instance, at the end of September, according to Bloomberg, ... READ MORE >
Labor challenges in health care are here for the long term
Labor costs and availability continue to vex hospitals and health systems. Even the large, publicly traded systems (HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health Services and Community Health Systems) are not immune. Everyone is paying more for labor, if they can find it. By the numbers Last week ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Wages grew fastest in 20 years
The tight labor market sent worker compensation growth in the third quarter to its highest level in 20 years, posting a 1.3% gain, according to Employment Cost Index data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The Employment Cost Index is the Federal Reserve's top wage gauge, and is ... READ MORE >