US ISM Manufacturing Sector Buoyed by Cautious Optimism, in Growth Territory for 9th Straight Month in September, but US Trade War, Mideast Conflict Keeping Costs High, Deliveries Slow
–ISM’s Spence: Firms Jittery about Not Being Able to Rely on Stead Economic Policy By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the ninth straight month in September, thanks to a cautiously optimistic business outlook, but Washington’s wars on the trade front and in the Middle East are keeping various costs high and […]
NABE Survey Shows Shift to Expectations of Fed Tightening Among Business Economists
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The mood of business economists has shifted dramatically, swinging from hope for monetary easing to expectations of more monetary tightening, according to a survey by the National Association for Business Economics released Monday. The NABE’s semi-annual survey of its 151 members shows a substantial proportion of them considering both […]
US ISM Manufacturing Posts 8th Straight Growth in August but at Slower Pace as Persistent Inflation, Trade War Hurt New Orders, Jobs; AI Projects Keep Chip Supply Tight
–ISM’s Spence Sees Positive Sentiment in Employment Start to Deteriorate in August–Spence: Prolonged Trade Uncertainty Can Delay Orders, Increase Price Pressures By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the eighth straight month in August but slowed more than expected as persistent inflation during the Iran war and additional punitive import duties slapped […]
FOMC Holds Rates Steady; Drops Easing Bias By Ending Forward Guidance
— SEP Shows Fed Officials See Funds Rate Rising To 3.8% By End ‘26; Back to 3.6% end ’27 – -SEP Inflation Forecast Lifted for 2026 From 2.7% to 3.6% — Warsh Didn’t Submit Funds Rate Dot; Half Want Rate Same or Lower; Half Want Rate Hike – -Warsh Committed To 2% Inflation; ‘Compatible’ With […]
Fed Officials Not Ready To Move Rates Either Way as Iran Uncertainty Continues
— Rate Hike Sentiment Rising, But Most Inclined to Be Patient — Easing Bias Seems Increasingly Likely To Go By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials leaned half heartedly toward a potential tightening of monetary policy this week, as they struggled to keep up with the vicissitudes of the Iran conflict and its […]
Inflation Making Fed Officials Increasingly Prone To Keep Funds Rate As Is, If Not Higher
– Schmid: Inflation ‘Most Pressing Risk To The Economy’ – Hammack: FOMC Must Make ‘Tough Tradeoffs” to Guarantee Low Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With the war against Iran worsening price pressures in the United States, Federal Reserve officials are not only leaning toward keeping monetary policy on hold indefinitely, they seem increasingly […]
Japan Week Ahead: US Treasury Secretary Bessent Goes to Tokyo on Way to US-China Summit, Meeting PM Takaichi, Others, After Suspected Japan FX Intervention
–Household Spending Seen Sluggish amid Rising Costs, Producer Inflation Accelerating on Mideast Conflict By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Trading returns to normal after the Golden Week holidays that ended on Wednesday, May 6. Government policymakers have also returned from international meetings and diplomatic visits. The […]
Japan Keeps Cautiously Optimistic Economic Outlook as Bulls Drive Tokyo Stocks Higher on Hopes of End to Mideast Conflict, Resumed Gulf Shipping
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to expect a gradual economic recovery, backed by strong demand for investment in artificial intelligence, while Tokyo stock markets keep flirting with record highs on hopes of an end to the Iran war that would allow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil and gas […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Global Investors Pare Risk Assets on Sharp Reassessment of Growth and Inflation Expectations
–Geopolitical Conflict Still Top Tail Risk By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global fund managers pared risk holdings in April, with the move driven by a sharp reassessment of growth and inflation expectations, according to the latest BofA Global Fund Managers survey, released Tuesday. This month, a net 36% of those polled looked for […]
Fed’s Jefferson: FOMC ‘Well-Positioned’ To Face Upside Inflation, Downside Job Risks
–– Williams: FOMC Is Now ‘Really Well-Positioned’ To ‘Wait and See’ — Goolsbee: Fed in ‘Very Uncomfortable Situation; Facing Danger of ‘Stagflation’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Phillip Jefferson said Tuesday evening that monetary policy is “well-positioned” in a war-influenced environment of both upside risks to inflation and downside risks […]