DATA PREVIEW: STIMULUS GRIDLOCK, COVID CUTS INTO CONFIDENCE
By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The inability to pass new stimulus measures in the face of rising COVID-19 cases likely had a dampening effect on consumer confidence in August, even as interest rates have hit rock-bottom, gasoline prices are low and with the U.S. stock markets to a large extent having eclipsed their pre-COVID […]
STATUS CHECK: IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE … SPEAK AT THE DNC
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: The exposition of democratic ideals brought down to Earth or simply a political culture war, the insults flew, the arrows of invective were launched at the enemy, the Democrats railed against the man […]
DATA PREVIEW: REDUCED NORTHEAST CASES LIFT FACTORY DATA
By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – After a busy week, the upcoming data schedule is a bit lighter. After being hit hard by COVID early in the spring, the Northeast region has seen a sharp improvement that will translate into further strengthening in manufacturing conditions for August. The New York Fed’s Empire State reading, to […]
STATUS CHECK: MIDDLE EAST BREAKTHROUGH; VIRUS RELIEF STALEMATE
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Thursday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: An authentic though preliminary breakthrough, a third Arab country normalizing relations with Israel. With the UAE’s agreement, Israel suspends its claims of sovereignty over the West Bank claimed by Palestinians for a future […]
DATA FLASH: US INITIAL CLAIMS DIP AS FUTURE STILL UNDER DEBATE
–Initial Claims -228,000 to 963,000; First Reading Below 1 Million Under COVID–July Import Prices Rose 0.7%, But Only 0.2% Ex. Fuels By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – As Congress and the White House continue to spar – or currently refuse to spar – on the future of the enhanced jobless claims program, initial claims fell by […]
STATUS CHECK: US STOCK MARKET EBULLIENCE SHOWS RARE VULNERABILITY TO VIRUS NEWS
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: It was hard not to notice a disturbance in the Force, the force of stock market ebullience, that is. It was a strong start after Russia, however prematurely, announced it was moving to […]
STATUS CHECK: BAD VIBES ACCUMULATE RE CHINA
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Monday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: A new week filled with echoes of last week. Weekend rioting, Chicago after midnight looted stores. A police shooting in the afternoon and mistaken rumors about that shooting was the spark. There was […]
STATUS CHECK: TRUMP – ‘WE’RE FINALLY HAVING IT OUT’
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Friday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: · A long week about over and in an evening news conference the president of the United States says, “We’re having it out. We’re finally having it out.” He was talking about the […]
STATUS CHECK: THE IN-BETWEEN WORLD OF SLOWDOWN-REBOUND
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: · Another day in that indeterminate area between slowdown and rebound, between the alternate universes with President Trump in his evening briefing in his world, the one in which the virus is being controlled, […]
STATUS CHECK: MUDDLED, MURKY – STILL WEEKEND VIRUS RELIEF SUCCESS EXPECTED
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: · The general public, the markets, social service providers, food pantries and shelter providers were left reading between the lines Tuesday as they tried to decode the scant signals being sprinkled like bread crumbs […]