Author Archives: LSAConnect

Economic Update 3-19-2024 Economic data for the week included a rise in retail sales, and a small increase in industrial production, while consumer sentiment fell back. U.S. consumer and producer inflation both came in a bit sticky on a monthly … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-11-2024 Economic data during the week included the ISM services falling back a bit but remained in expansion. The employment situation report was mixed, with decent February growth offset by prior month revisions. Equities fell back in the … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-26-2024 On the holiday-shortened week, economic data releases included another decline in the index of leading economic indicators, while existing home sales rose. Equities gained worldwide, led by the U.S. technology sector, improvement in developed market growth conditions, … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-20-2024 Economic data for the week was mixed, including disappointments in retail sales and industrial production. Consumer and producer inflation both came in higher than expected, while housing data was mixed, with fewer starts but stronger builder sentiment. … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-12-2024 In a quiet week for economic data, the ISM services index rose further into expansion, jobless claims improved, while the survey of senior bank loan officers showed continued tightening of conditions into the 4th quarter of last year. … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-05-2024 Economic data for the week included the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged, as expected. ISM manufacturing data improved, while the employment situation report for January came in far stronger than expected. Equities fared well in the … Continue reading →

At their late January meeting, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee kept the Fed funds range unchanged at 5.25-5.50%, where it’s been since last July. There were no dissents, even as the voting membership evolved to a new group for … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-22-2024 For the holiday-shortened week, economic data included gains in retail sales, consumer sentiment, and homebuilder sentiment, while industrial production was little changed, and several housing metrics weakened.  Equities gained in the U.S. as earnings reports have started, … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-16-2024 Economic data for the week included consumer price inflation coming in a bit stronger than expected, but a slight improvement on a year-over-year basis compared to the prior month. On the other hand, producer price inflation came … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-8-2024 In the first week of the new year, economic data continued to show a mixed picture. ISM manufacturing continued to contract, but did improve, while ISM services grew, but at a far slower pace. The monthly employment … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-2-2024 In a holiday-shortened week, economic data was light, consisting of increases in home prices from the fall, while jobless claims continued to be little changed.  Global equities saw gains to close out the year, with emerging markets … Continue reading →