ISM: US Services Sector Slips in March on Surging Costs amid Trump Trade War, Controversial Massive Federal Spending Cuts, but Clings to Growth

–ISM Services Index at 9-Month Low of 50.8 Vs. 53.5 in February, Below Consensus (53.0)–Employment Subindex Plunge by 7.7 Points Sharpest Since Early Pandemic Phase of April 2020–ISM’s Miller: More Industries Are Concerned About Impact of Tariffs–Miller: Canadian Boycott of US Goods, Services Having Immediate Impact–Miller: Services Sector Shows Some Strength from Overall Viewpoint By […]

US ISM Manufacturing Slips Back into Contraction in March as Firms Sit on Sidelines, Trim Payrolls Ahead of More Trump Tariffs Expected This Week

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 49.0 Vs. 50.3 in February, Below Consensus (49.6)–ISM’s Fiore: Activity ‘Overshadowed’ by US Import Tariffs; So Many Unknowns, More Confusion–Fiore: Still Think Lower New Orders, Higher Inventories, Slower Supply Deliveries Will Clear Up–Fiore: Tariffs Could Prompt Workers Hit by Higher Costs of Living to Demand Wage Hikes, Triggering Wage-Price Cycle By […]

StL Fed’s Musalem: Must Lean Against Inflation If Expectations Become Unanchored

– May Have To Leave Rates Unchanged Longer Or Hike Rates If Inflation Worsens By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Although downside risks to the labor market have increased, so have upside risks to inflation and inflation expectations, and such a combination could create a difficult monetary policy dilemma, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President […]

TARIFFS STATE OF PLAY: Confusion as Tariffs and Tariff Threats Multiply

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – As one round of tariffs took effect Tuesday and more were threatened, rampant uncertainty permeated plunging U.S. stock markets while interest rates continued to dramatically ease. Analysts found themselves giving contradictory assessments on the business channels as the probabilities for more Federal Reserve rate cuts this year were coupled with dire predictions […]

TARIFFS STATE OF PLAY: CHINA Tightens Restrictions on Rare Earth Exports to USA Among Tariff Retaliations

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – In what analysts have said is a measured response, intended not to further escalate U.S.-China trade tensions, China nevertheless Tuesday has imposed some significant new penalties. Chief among them are export controls on several rare-earth minerals important to the U.S. manufacture of high-tech products. They include indium, bismuth, molybdenum, tellurium and tungsten. […]

US ISM Manufacturing Back in Growth at Start of 2025, Waking Up from More Than 2 Years of Doldrums on Cyclical Pickup in New Orders, Output, Jobs

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 50.9 Vs. 49.2 in December, Again Well Above Consensus (49.5)–ISM’s Fiore: Upward Help from Seasonal Adjustments in January 2025 Half of Those in January 2024–Fiore: Trump Tariffs Won’t Help US Firms; Doesn’t Make Sense to Pay Duties on Own Goods Made in Canada, Mexico–Fiore: Demand for US Manufacturers Sees Cyclical Rebound […]

ISM: US Services Sector Expands for 6th Straight Month in December on Robust Business Activity, with Boost from Seasonality, Preparation for Possible Trump Tariffs

–ISM Services Index at 54.1 in December Vs. 52.1 in November, Above Median Forecast 53.2–ISM’s Miller: Fed Likely to Pause in Rate Cuts in Face of 2nd Straight Quarterly Growth in Services Sector, Creeping Costs–Miller: Firms Concerned About Expected Drag from Trump Tariffs on Canadian Product Supply By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services […]