DATA PREVIEW: IS INFLATION NOW A TREE FALLING IN THE FOREST?
By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The highlight of next week, not counting a Monday holiday of course, will be the August readings of business and consumer inflation at the end of the week–indicators that were closely-watched before the COVID crisis. But now, thanks to much more pressing issues this year, inflation was put on […]
DATA FLASH: US AUGUST PAYROLLS UP 1.371 MLN; UNEMP RATE 8.4%
-Retail, Government Sectors Lead Gain; Hourly Earnings Up 0.4% By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The August employment report showed continued payrolls improvement, though the size of those gains continues to slow and likely reflects the return of laid-off workers rather than new job creation. Likewise, the unemployment rate fell sharply in the month to […]
STATUS CHECK: A MARKETS PULLBACK AND A PRESIDENTIAL PUSHBACK
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) –-The following is Thursday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: So severe was the day’s stocks pullback that the Nasdaq – pulled down 4.96% – was the lowest it’s been since … Tuesday a week ago. After so many record highs, how serious was […]
DATA FLASH: US INITIAL CLAIMS FALL ON TECHINICAL FACTORS
–-Initial Claims -130,000 to 881,000, No Mention of Hurricane Laura–July Trade Gap Widens to 12-yr High $63.6 Billion; Sharp Gain in Imports–Nonfarm Productivity Revised Up on Smaller Output Plunge By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) –Initial claims fell by 130,000 in the August 29 week to a level of 881,000, well below the 958,000 level expected and […]
STATUS CHECK: TRUMP WANTS TO DISOWN NYC, PORTLAND, D.C.
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) –-The following is Wednesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: The day was full of campaign moves, some disguised as something else. For instance, President Trump’s memo to government agencies late in the day directed preparations be made to disown certain cities that he […]
US CBO TEXT: DEFICIT HEADING TO ALL-TIME RECORD; 10-YR OUTLOOK SURPRISES
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office Wednesday updated its outlook for annual budget deficits, and while the impending record widening is no surprise, the tapering toward the end of the next decade was unexpected. The following is the CBO text of its summary of the budget update, with boldfaced emphasis added: • Deficits […]
FED’S BEIGE BK SEES MIXED ECONOMY, ‘STALLED’ IN NY, STRONG IN CHI
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The latest Federal Reserve Beige Book survey of economic activity in all 12 regional districts Wednesday found a mixed picture, with a wide range of outcomes from “stalled” in the New York district to “strongly” improved in Chicago. Generally the survey prepared by the Minneapolis bank for the next Federal Open Market […]
FED’S WILLIAMS: NEW FRAMEWORK STRENGTHENS FED HAND IN TARGETING MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT, PRICE STABILITY
NEW YORK (MaceNews) – The Fed’s new policy framework targeting average inflation over time puts the central bank in a stronger position to meet its employment and inflation goals, New York Fed President John Williams said Wednesday. “The new framework statement directly and effectively addresses the problems caused by a low neutral rate and persistently […]
STATUS CHECK: CREDIBILITY, DENIALS, INSINUATIONS AND CHARGES
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: At the end of last week it was noted here that events had chipped away at the credibility of the government and the White House in particular regarding the coronavirus. Now it has […]
DATA FLASH: US MANUFACTURING CONDITIONS IMPROVE FURTHER IN AUGUST
–ISM Manufacturing Index Rises To 56.0 In August, High Since Nov 2018–July Construction Spending Softer Than Expected; Residential Up By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The August ISM index showed U.S . manufacturing sector activity expanded further due to extraordinarily strong demand, but the sector is still laying off workers and some sectors have not […]