MARCH 10, 2025 – 151,000 JOBS CREATED IN FEBRUARY The Labor Department reported that 151,000 new jobs were added in February; this was the 50th week of job growth. The unemployment rate rose to 4.1 percent from 4 percent in January, remaining just above record lows. Average hourly wages were up 0.3 percent for the month, as expected, or 4 …
March 3, 2025 — Q4 Data Updates, Jobless Claims Rise
MARCH 3, 2025 – Q4 DATA UPDATES, JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE Last week key indicators were updated, giving a clearer picture of the economy. Fourth quarter real GDP was unrevised at 2.3 percent, following a strong 3.1 percent expansion in Q3; the number was robust enough to indicate solid momentum going into 2025. Consumer spending was up 4.2 percent in Q4, …
February 24, 2025 — Tracking Economic Data this Week
FEBRUARY 24, 2025 – TRACKING ECONOMIC DATA THIS WEEK There will be a number of important data released this week, including an update to fourth quarter GDP, durable goods and core PCE data. Expectations are for a slight revision down to the GDP from the 2.3 percent in the original release. The core PCE, the number the Fed considers its …
February 17, 2025 — Inflation Rises to 3 Percent in January
FEBRUARY 17, 2025 – INFLATION RISES TO 3 PERCENT IN JANUARY Consumer prices rose in January by 0.5 percent, which translates to a 12-month increase of 3 percent. This was the largest increase since August 2023 and ahead of expectations for a rise of 0.3 percent. The January data has likely ended hopes for an interest rate adjustment in the …
February 10, 2025 — New Jobs Fall In January
FEBRUARY 10, 2025 – NEW JOBS FALL IN JANUARY There were 143,000 new jobs added to the US economy in January, down from 307,000 created in December and below expectations for 169,000 new positions. The unemployment rate was down to 4 percent. Average hourly wages rose 0.5 percent for the month, and were up 4.2 percent from a year ago. …
February 3, 2025 — Fed Leaves Rates Alone as Inflation Ticks Up
FEBRUARY 3, 2025 – FED LEAVES RATES ALONE AS INFLATION TICKS UP The Federal Reserve met last week and left interest rates unchanged. They have entered a wait-and-see stance, choosing to see where inflation goes before acting. Fed Chair Powell pointed out that rates are much less restrictive now than they were a year ago. He is optimistic inflation will …
January 27, 2025 — The Fed Meets this Week
JANUARY 27, 2025 – THE FED MEETS THIS WEEK The Federal Reserve meets this week on Tuesday and Wednesday where no action is expected on interest rates despite President Trump’s call to lower interest rates immediately. The President wants to boost the economy, even though it is outperforming its peers around the world. It was announced last week that existing …
January 21, 2025 — Inflation Rises in December, New Hopes for Rate Cuts
JANUARY 21, 2025 – INFLATION RISES IN DECEMBER, NEW HOPES FOR RATE CUTS December’s inflation rate ticked up 0.2 percent to 2.9 percent for the year, and up 0.4 percent from November, driven for the most part by gas prices. The core CPI rose by 0.2 percent, its smallest gain since July and below expectations for a 0.3 percent rise. …
January 13, 2025 — New Jobs Soar, Rate Cuts Likely to be Slowed
JANUARY 13, 2025 – NEW JOBS SOAR, RATE CUTS LIKELY TO BE SLOWED The Labor Department released the December employment report which reported 256,000 new jobs were created, far exceeding the expectation for 150,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent in November. A good employment indicates the labor market has recovered from the slow …
December 16, 2024 — Inflation Rises to 2.7 Percent in November
DECEMBER 16, 2024 – INFLATION RISES TO 2.7 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER The November inflation rate edged up slightly, 0.3 percent for the month or 2.7 percent for the year, in line with expectations. For comparison, month-over-month inflation has come in at 0.2 percent for each of the last four months. Core inflation rose 0.3 percent fo the month, while year-over-year …