Economic Update 12-29-2020 On the shortened holiday week, economic data included a decline in personal income and spending, mixed results in housing, and weaker consumer confidence. Global equity markets were down on net last week, as agreement on Congressional stimulus remained in limbo and Covid case counts remain high, along with a newly identified strain […]
Economic Update 12-21-2020 Economic data for the week included declines in retail sales, industrial production, as well as in several regional manufacturing indexes. Jobless claims also ticked higher along with rising virus counts nationally. Global equity markets rose last week, with continued easy economic policies announced and optimism over the new Covid vaccines. Bonds were […]
Economic Update 12-14-2020 In a lighter week for economic data, releases included minor increases in producer and consumer prices, and higher-than-expected jobless claims as an uptick in Covid cases continues to weigh on the jobs market. Consumer sentiment improved with the Covid vaccine news, along with inflation expectations falling a bit. Global stocks declined last […]
Economic Update 12-07-2020 Economic data for the week included slightly weaker ISM manufacturing and services, although the underlying metrics continued to show expansion. The employment situation report for November showed a significant slowing of job growth compared to the recovery over the past six months, due to rising Covid cases. U.S. equity markets led the […]
Economic Update 11-30-2020 In a shortened holiday week, economic data included stronger housing prices but a decline in sales, mixed personal income/spending results, and lower consumer sentiment as Covid cases again pick up. U.S. and foreign equity markets both experienced gains last week, as positive sentiment continued. Bonds were mixed, with U.S. corporates and foreign […]
Economic Update 11-23-2020 Economic data for the week included increases in retail sales, industrial production, and several housing metrics; a pair of regional manufacturing indexes decelerated but remained solidly in expansion. World equity markets moved in different directions last week, with U.S. stocks declining and foreign stocks rising. Bonds fared well, as interest rates globally […]
Economic Update 11-16-2020 In a light week for economic data, releases included slight increases in producer and consumer prices, slow improvements for labor, and weaker consumer sentiment. Global equity markets rallied strongly upon the more solidified U.S. election results from the prior week, and the announcement of promising Covid vaccine trials. Bonds fell back in […]
Economic Update 11-09-2020 Economic data for the week included a stronger-than-expected employment situation report, and rising manufacturing and construction activity, yet slightly decelerating results for services. U.S. equity markets gained strongly, with the Biden Presidential win and Congressional composition pointing to a status quo policy outcome. Foreign stocks followed, helped by a weaker dollar. Bonds […]
Economic Update 11-02-2020 Economic data for the week included U.S. GDP for the 3rd quarter that rebounded in similar fashion to expectations, relative strength in areas such as personal income and durable goods, while housing data and consumer sentiment were mixed. Global markets suffered their worst few sessions in months last week, as rising Covid […]
Economic Update 10-26-2020 Economic data for the week included continued strength in housing data, an improvement in jobless claims, as well as continued growth in the index of leading economic indicators, albeit at a decelerated rate from the past few months. U.S. equity markets declined with continued uncertainty over a Congressional stimulus package; foreign stocks […]