US ISM Services Sector Heats Up in February, Takes PMI to More Than 3-Year High as Firms Meeting Demand by Controlling Tariff-Induced Cost Rise
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector revved up sharply in February to extend its expansionary phase into a 20th month as firms have managed to absorb higher costs triggered by stiff import duties imposed under the protectionist U.S. trade policy, indicating a resilient labor market and solid economic growth in the first […]
US ISM Manufacturing PMI Stays in Expansionary State in February but Many Firms Complain US Tariffs Boosting Procurement Costs
–ISM’s Spence: Wouldn’t Be Surprised If Price Pressure Continued in Light of Heightened Tensions in Middle East By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity stayed in expansionary territory in February after springing back to life from a year-long slumber the previous month but firms are blaming the protectionist trade policy under President Donald Trump […]
US ISM Services Sector Afloat over Optimism for Better Business in 2026 but AI Boom Causing Capacity Concerns; Overall Cost Pressures Remain High
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector posted a 19th straight month of expansion in January on general optimism that things will turn around in 2026 in the aftermath of Trump tariff storms but the pace of activity was flat on the month as data center expansion is causing capacity concerns and rising […]
US ISM Manufacturing PMI Surges to 41-Month High on Vague Optimism About Demand Comeback but Uncertainty Over Trump Tariffs Continues to Choke Supply Chains
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity sprang back to life in January, marking the first expansion in 12 months backed by unclear optimism that demand will improve, but overall sentiment remains gloomy, hit by the lingering uncertainty caused by protectionist U.S. trade policy. The purchasing managers index compiled by the Institute for Supply […]
Fed’s Bowman Reaffirms Support for Additional Cuts In Federal Funds Rate
– Warns Against Signaling ‘Pause’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – A number of Federal Reserve officials have expressed hesitancy, if not outright opposition, about cutting interest rates further in recent days, but Vice Chairman for Supervision Michelle Bowman emphatically renewed her support for additional rate cuts Friday. Bowman joined Governor Stephen Miran in supporting […]
US ISM Services Sector PMI Hits 14-Month High Mainly on Seasonal Effects but 12-Month Moving Average Still Low
US ISM’s Miller: Not Out of Tariffs Woods Yet but Sitting on Their Edge By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector was in expansion territory for the third straight month in December as customers’ yearend budget spending lifted retailers and the flu vaccine season supported healthcare service providers but stiff Trump tariffs are […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Investor Optimism High in December on ‘Run-it-Hot’ Macro and Policy Expectations
–Macro-optimism Highest Since August 2021 –Expectation For Higher Bond Yields Highest Since April 2022 by Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global investor optimism was high in December, driven by “’run-it-hot’ macro and policy expectations,” according to the latest BoA Global Fund Managers survey, released Tuesday. This month, a net 18% of those polled looked […]
FOMC Cuts Funds Rate 25 BP, Projects Single 25 BP Cut By End Of 2026
– Powell Signals Pause, Saying FOMC Can Now ‘Wait and See’ How Economy Evolves – Powell: After 175 BP of Easing, Funds Rate in ‘Plausible’ Range of ‘Neutral’ – FOMC Declares Reserves ‘Ample’; to Start Buying Shorter Term Treasuires By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – At their final monetary policy meeting of 2025 Wednesday, a […]
TRANSCRIPT: Fed Chair Powell Sees Policy Rate Within Range of Neutral Rate and Payrolls Now Negative
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is a rough transcript of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s post-FOMC news conference Wednesday:
Fed Officials Showing Caution, Even As Some Call for December Rate Cut
– Goolsbee, Hammack, Cook All Uneasy About Moving Again Next Month – Waller Strongly Supports December Rate Cut By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With the Federal Reserve’s last monetary policy meeting of the year just three weeks away, many Fed officials are exhibiting greater reluctance to continue interest rate reductions, while some continue to […]