Financial News & Insights

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK It was a relatively quiet week for economic data. The trade deficit narrowed a bit in September, but new tariffs appear to have weighed on both exports and imports. The ISM non-manufacturing index followed its manufacturing counterpart higher in October, with th

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK U.S. economic activity decelerated in the third quarter to a 1.9% annual pace from 2% in the second quarter, with consumer spending doing much of the heavy lifting. The Federal Reserve implemented its third, and likely final, interest rate cut of this year, citi

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK The economic data was subdued this week. Retail sales fell 0.3% in September, ending their six month growth streak. Industrial production also fell. Multifamily starts took a step back, but single-family starts fared better. The Fed’s Beige Book confirmed that e

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK CPI report – the only key data release this week – confirmed that inflation remained tame in September. Both headline and core inflation registered a muted 0.1% increase on the month, leaving the readings flat on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, th

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK October began on a sour note. A deepening contraction in the manufacturing ISM confirmed that the global manufacturing slump has washed up on American shores, and the sectoral weakness may be spreading into other industries. The jobs report offered some encourag

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK A downturn in U.S. consumer confidence and rising political risks as the House began impeachment inquiries against President Trump, triggered volatility in global markets. U.S. personal incomes jumped in August (to 0.4% month-on-month from 0.1% previously), even

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK In the main financial event of the week, the Federal Reserve cut its key lending rate by 25 basis points, but was mum on the prospect for additional cuts. Our latest forecast sees slower economic growth leading to at least one more rate cut. Fed rate cuts will h

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK There was good news in the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China this week as the President announced a postponement of tariffs and China exempted key agricultural goods (pork and soybeans) from existing tariffs. The European Central Bank lowered its key

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK US-China trade tensions spiked last Friday as both countries announced more protectionist measures against each other, but later eased this week. Equity markets swept the escalation under the rug, making a full recovery on the week. Second-quarter U.S. GDP growt

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK This week may have been short on economic data, but the fireworks were lit on Friday as the President lashed out against China’s decision to impose tariffs on $75 billion of U.S. imports, sending stock markets into a tailspin. Risks increased, and global outlook