Updates – Macro Trend

Private payroll growth way above Wall Street estimates despite recession fears

Company payrolls surged by 195,000 in August, well above Wall Street estimates and at a time when fears have been growing about a looming recession, according to a report Thursday from ADP and Moody’s Analytics.

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Strong consumer spending propping up U.S. economy

U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July as households bought a range of goods and services, which could further allay financial market fears of a recession, but the strong pace of consumption is unlikely to be sustained amid tepid income gains.

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U.S. economy slows in second quarter; consumer spending robust

Gross domestic product increased at a 2.0% annualized rate, the Commerce Department said in its second reading of second-quarter GDP on Thursday.

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European officials draft radical plan to take on Trump and U.S. tech companies

European Union officials have drawn up an aggressive 173-page plan to counter both President Donald Trump’s trade moves and American tech giants including Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook.

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Fed says July rate cut was ‘recalibration’ and not part of ‘pre-set course’ for more easing

Federal Reserve officials who voted to lower interest rates three weeks ago agreed that the move shouldn’t be viewed as an indication that there is a “pre-set course” for future cuts, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday.

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A ‘recession dashboard’ from Credit Suisse indicates the economy is nowhere near a recession

Economic data looks nothing like that of a recession, according to Credit Suisse.

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Consumers are America’s not so secret weapon to keep economy afloat, but they can’t save the world

With markets reeling from recession fears, the world is watching the resilient U.S. consumer, now in the strongest position since before the financial crisis — so far.

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Growth forecasts are rising and the economy looks nowhere near as bad as the bond market predicts

By any number of measures, the U.S. economy is outshining the depressed picture the bond market has been painting of U.S. growth, and a big part of it is the resilient American consumer.

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U.S. consumer spending strong; manufacturing struggling

The upbeat report from the Commerce Department on Thursday, however, will likely not change expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again next month as news from the manufacturing sector remains dour, underscoring the darkening outlook for the economy against the backdrop of trade tensions and slowing growth overseas.

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S&P 500, Dow gain as upbeat retail sales offset recession fears

The S&P 500 and the Dow gained ground in a late rally on Thursday as upbeat retail sales data offset recessionary fears amid the simmering U.S.-China trade tensions.

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