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 […]
US Inflation Seen Coming Down Much Faster Due to Tighter Credit
Augusta Saraiva and Sarina Yoo Bloomberg April 21, 2023 Economists lower price forecasts through first half of 2024 Bloomberg survey still puts recession odds at 65% in next year US inflation is now expected to come down faster than originally projected thanks to tighter credit conditions in the aftermath of several bank failures. Economists lowered […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fed’s Bullard Says Recession Fears Off-Base and Urges More Hikes
Steve Matthews Bloomberg April 18, 2023 A strong labor market should keep the expansion going, he says Bullard reiterates favored rate outlook in Reuters interview Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said he favored continued interest-rate hikes to counter persistent inflation, while recession fears are overblown. “Wall Street’s very engaged in the idea there’s […]
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 […]
Yellen says U.S. banks may tighten lending and negate need for more Fed rate hikes
David Lawder Reuters April 15, 2023 WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said banks are likely to become more cautious and may tighten lending further in the wake of recent bank failures, possibly negating the need for further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Yellen said in a “Fareed Zakaria GPS” interview […]
Here’s how the second-biggest bank collapse in U.S. history happened in just 48 hours
Hugh Son Rohan Goswami Jonathan Vanian CNBC March 10, 2023 The company’s downward spiral began late Wednesday, when it surprised investors with news that it needed to raise $2.25 billion to shore up its balance sheet. “This was a hysteria-induced bank run caused by VCs,” Ryan Falvey, a fintech investor of Restive Ventures, told CNBC. […]
US Core CPI Tops Estimates, Pressuring Fed as It Weighs Hike
Augusta Saraiva BloombergMarch 14, 2023 Underlying gauge rose 0.5% in February, most in five months Shelter accounted for more than 70% of overall monthly gain Underlying US consumer prices rose in February by the most in five months, forcing a tough choice for Federal Reserve officials weighing still-rapid inflation against banking turmoil in their next […]
Powell’s Legacy Risks Being Tarnished Further by SVB Collapse
Rich Miller BloombergMarch 15, 2023 Fed faulted for not heading off troubles at the bank Former Fed Governor Tarullo calls it a ‘supervisory failure’ The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank threatens to further besmirch the reputation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, on top of the blemish he’s suffered for being slow to recognize the risk of […]