Updates – Macro Trend

First-quarter economic growth was actually 2%, up from 1.3% first reported in major GDP revision

Jeff Cox The Hill June 29, 2023 The U.S. economy grew at a 2% annualized pace in the first quarter, according to a final revision to the figure released Thursday. That was well above the previous estimate of 1.3% and the 1.4% Dow Jones consensus forecast. Upward revisions in consumer spending and inventories boosted the […]

Read More

Hiring at US Companies Tops All Forecasts, ADP Data Show

Augusta Saraiva Bloomberg June 1, 2023 Private payrolls increased by 278,000 in May, led by leisure Wage growth slowed, including for people changing jobs Employment growth at US companies last month exceeded all projections, highlighting a durable labor market that continues to buttress the economy. Private payrolls increased 278,000 following a revised 291,000 gain in April, […]

Read More

US consumer spending surges in April; inflation heats up

Reuters Lucia Mutikani May 26, 2023 WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in April, boosting the economy’s growth prospects for the second quarter, and inflation picked up, which could prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates again next month. The growth picture was further brightened by other data from the […]

Read More

Chinese Stocks Wipe Out 2023 Gains as Headwinds Intensify

Bloomberg May 23, 2023 CSI 300 extends decline as developers’ debt woes resurface Geopolitics, yuan weakness, and uneven recovery are concerns China’s benchmark stock index erased all its gains for the year as a weaker yuan and developers’ debt woes added to persistent worries over growth and geopolitics. The CSI 300 Index closed down 1.4% Wednesday, with […]

Read More

US Bank Lending Rises for Fourth Week, Led by Small Institutions

Alex Tanzi Bloomberg  May 5, 2023 US bank lending increased for a fourth straight week, suggesting credit conditions remain relatively stable despite elevated concerns about regional lenders. Commercial bank lending rose $41.6 billion in the week ended April 26 after increasing $12.4 billion the prior week, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Federal Reserve out Friday. […]

Read More

Strong US consumer spending seen driving economy in first quarter

Lucia Mitikani Bloomberg April 27, 2023 WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter as an acceleration in consumer spending was offset by businesses cutting back on inventory investment in anticipation of weaker demand this year amid higher borrowing costs. The Commerce Department’s advance first-quarter gross domestic product report […]

Read More

US Business Activity Unexpectedly Jumps, Risking More Inflation

Augusta Saraiva Bloomberg April 21, 2023 S&P Global composite measure rose to 11-month high in April Firms increased prices at fastest pace in seven months US business activity unexpectedly climbed this month to nearly a one-year high, bolstered by stronger services and manufacturing that threatens to reignite inflationary pressures. The S&P Global flash April composite purchasing managers […]

Read More

China’s Consumer-Driven Growth Gives Boost to Global Economy

Bloomberg News April 18, 2023 GDP expands 4.5% in first quarter, fastest pace in a year Citigroup, SocGen upgrade full-year growth forecasts China’s economy grew at the fastest pace in a year in the first quarter, putting Beijing on track to meet its growth goal for the year without adding major stimulus, while also helping […]

Read More

US Paychecks Are Outpacing Inflation, Giving Fed Fodder for Hike

Molly Smith Bloomberg April 18, 2023 Median earnings ran above consumer prices in first quarter Strong wage gains may tilt Fed toward another rate hike in May US workers are starting to see pay gains run faster than inflation, amplifying their purchasing power and giving the Federal Reserve reason to raise interest rates again next […]

Read More

US Producer Prices Unexpectedly Fall, Signaling Easing Pressures

Reade Pickert BloombergMarch 15, 2023 US producer prices unexpectedly declined in February, pointing to an easing of cost pressures in corners of an economy still battling the highest inflation in a generation. The producer price index for final demand fell 0.1% from the prior month and increased 4.6% from a year earlier, according to data out Wednesday […]

Read More