Author Archives: LSAConnect

Economic Update 3-28-2022 Economic data for the week included a decline in durable goods orders and new home sales, and consumer sentiment fell to multi-year lows. However, jobless claims again reached multi-decade levels of strength. U.S. equity markets gained ground … Continue reading →

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee raised the key fed funds interest rate today by 0.25%, to a new range of 0.25-0.50%. This first hike in four years was as expected, with the Fed communicating their intention and amount fairly … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-14-2022 Economic data for the week included the consumer price index rising to another multi-decade high, job openings continued to show strength, while jobless claims were little changed. Global equity markets lost ground again in keeping with the … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-07-2022 Economic data for the week included a robust employment situation report, as well as other labor metrics, and improved manufacturing and construction activity. Global financial market sentiment continued to be driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with U.S. … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-28-2022 Economic data for the week included a slight revision to prior-quarter GDP, a continued gain in house prices, and continued lower jobless claims. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine dominated most other news. Global equity markets initially … Continue reading →

A variety of conflicts involving major world powers have tended to historically raise short-term volatility in global financial assets. However, market damage has tended to be short-lived, as in the magnitude of a typical market correction (-10% or a bit … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-22-2022 Economic data for the week included retail sales that came in higher than expected, as well as gains in industrial production, mixed regional manufacturing sentiment and housing metrics, and a slight pullback in the index of leading … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-14-2022 In a light week for economic data, consumer price inflation came in higher than expected, again reaching new multi-decade levels. Consumer sentiment worsened, while jobless claims continued to show improvement. U.S. equity markets fell back with continued … Continue reading →

Economic Update 2-07-2022 Economic data for the week included a much stronger than expected employment situation report for January, as well as a pullback in the ISM manufacturing and services indexes, although the two still lie solidly in expansion. Global … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-31-2022 Economic data for the week included the Fed signaling upcoming rate hikes, a stronger-than-expected GDP growth report for Q4, and robust housing data, but a weaker durable goods report. U.S. equity markets ended mixed to higher in … Continue reading →

Fed Note: The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee made no changes in interest rates today, as expected, staying with the target of 0.00-0.25%. But, times are changing. The formal statement language was significantly simplified from December, that economic activity and … Continue reading →

Economic Update 1-24-2022 Economic data for the holiday-shortened week included mixed regional manufacturing results and housing data, higher jobless claims, but continued gains in the index of leading indicators. U.S. equity markets, especially the Nasdaq-heavy group of technology stocks, fell … Continue reading →