DATA PREVIEW: RETAIL SALES PAYBACK DUE AFTER BRISK SEPTEMBER

By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – A surprise jump in September retail sales, led by a surge in motor vehicle sales, was a blip in what appears to be a continued slowing trend in sales growth. October retail sales should rise only modestly when released next Tuesday following an outsized 1.9% jump in September. While […]

NY FED’S WILLIAMS DOWNPLAYS MARKET TALK OF INFLATION RESURGENCE

By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – A key U.S. rate setter Friday poured cold water on recent market chatter of an uptick in inflation, predicting a slowdown of the economic recovery which is likely to keep a lid on price pressures.  Growth “in the fourth quarter and maybe into next year will slow somewhat,” said John […]

STATUS CHECK COMMENTARY- ELVIS IS LEAVING THE BUILDING – NOW WHAT?

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Thursday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. A day like other days since the election, a president retweeting  millions of Trump votes were “deleted” and Twitter tagging that and others as “disputed.” The retweet was from a posting by the […]

ECB, BOE SEE NO SILVER BULLET IN COVID VACCINE

–Both CenBanks Expected to Adjust Policy in December –Fed’s Powell Sees More Tech-Oriented, Less Job-Oriented Recovery By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Europe’s top central bankers welcomed the positive news on a Covid vaccine unveiled earlier this week, but warned that the region faces more economic pain before an inoculation becomes widely available. European Central […]

DATA FLASH: US OCTOBER CPI FLAT; JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL 48,000

–Core Prices Flat, Both Including and Excluding Energy Prices–Energy Prices Rose By 0.1%, But Gasoline Prices Down 0.5%. By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The October consumer price data were below expectations, with flat readings for both headline and core CPI. Both measures were expected to rise by 0.2%. The year/year rates for consumer inflation […]

BOE GOVERNOR DOWNPLAYS FEARS OF UK ECONOMIC SCARRING

— Declines to provide timeframe for consideration of negative interest rates By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The U.K. may escape significant economic scarring as a result of the Covid epidemic, particularly if an effective vaccine becomes widely available in 2020, according to the country’s top central banker. The Bank of England’s fears of permanent […]

STATUS CHECK COMMENTARY- OF TRADITION AND LEGACY

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. Veterans Day saw the opening of the National Museum of the United States Army, a beautiful huge structure situated in the immense Fort Belvoir, one of the U.S. military’s most high tech installations […]

STATUS CHECK COMMENTARY- BIDEN SEEKS CALM; OPPONENTS KEEP FIGHTING

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. President-Elect Joe Biden sought to calm troubled waters Tuesday in a rare question and answer session following a speech repeating how important he views the Affordable Care Act. It was under review by […]

ECB’S KNOT: COVID VACCINE DOES NOT DISPEL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

— Stresses Fiscal Policy Must Undertake Havy Lifting Vs Q4 Downturn By Laurie Laird  LONDON (MaceNews) – The rapid development of a Covid vaccine is unlikely to provide a quick fillip to the battered European economy, according to a top European Central Bank official.  While welcoming the announcement of positive medical trial results released on […]

ITALY LIKELY TO ‘PRESS PAUSE’ ON MORE DEFICIT SPENDING; DEBT CONCERNS RISE – SOURCES

By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s ruling coalition parties are trying to limit further boosting pandemic deficit spending as fears of long-term debt sustainability rise, according to party officials.  Despite pledges made in recent weeks to do “whatever it takes” to tackle the COVID-19 second wave and reassure markets, the “intention is to avoid […]