US ISM Services Sector Posts Faster Growth in August on Seasonal, Broad-Based Demand but Mideast Conflict, New Tariffs, AI Projects Keep Costs High, Make Firms Wary of Hiring

–ISM’s Miller: Employment Index in Contraction as Firms Reluctant to Hire While Trying to Cope with Impact of Rising Costs By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. services sector activity perked up in August on summer holiday, back to school and other demand but many firms continued to struggle in supply management, hit by rising costs […]

Fed Officials Willing to Raise Rates, But Only If Convinced Inflation Not Receding

– Key Inflation, Other Data Eagerly Awaited Before Some Make Up Their Minds By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With barely two weeks to go before Federal Reserve policymakers gather to take fresh stock of the economy and reconsider their short-term interest rate settings, Fed officials are letting it be known they are willing to […]