Category Archives: Economic News

Weekly Economic Update

(-) The second estimate of 4th quarter GDP was a disappointment, although many watchers expected as much—the initial estimate of +3.2% was revised down to +2.4% (a tenth lower than the expected revision).  The majority of the difference came from … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

On a holiday-shortened week, we ended up with a few noteworthy reports. (-) The Empire manufacturing survey for February came in positive at +4.5, but weaker than the expected +8.5 (and lower than January’s +12.5).  In the details of the … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update:   (-) Retail sales for January came in a bit underwhelming, down -0.4% on the month, versus an expected flat reading.  Additionally, December sales were revised down from +0.7% to +0.3%, which cast a negative tone on the … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update The week’s economic data was generally disappointing, as reports covering the January time period were likely held back by the extreme winter weather over much of the nation.  The magnitude of weather impacts can be hard to measure … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

The week was highlighted by a fair number of important industrial reports, as well as the closely-watched Fed meeting.  Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough decent news to offset emerging market-led concerns. (+/0) As we recapped separately mid-week, the FOMC continued the … Continue reading

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FOMC Update

After the much-anticipated taper in December, what could the Fed possibly do now to follow-up?  Turns out, more taper.  This is despite economic data in recent weeks looking a bit less robust than in the weeks prior (however, there may … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

After a fairly busy week, the MLK holiday led off a quieter one in terms of economic data releases. (-) The Markit manufacturing PMI fell from 55.0 in December to 53.7 in January (versus expectations for an unchanged reading).  Within … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

It was a very busy week in regard to economic releases, so we had to be a bit brief for a few of the less critical pieces. (+) Retail sales for December came in stronger than anticipated on a relative … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update   (0/-) The ISM Non-manufacturing index came a bit weaker than expected, falling from November’s 53.9 to 53.0 for December (expectations called for 54.7).  On the positive side, employment improved by several points, while business activity was generally … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

(+) The ISM Manufacturing survey came in stronger than expected for December, at 57.0 versus a forecasted 56.8, but was a bit lower than November’s 57.3 result.  Underlying data was similarly strong, little changed from the prior month, with higher … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

During the holiday-shortened week, we received a small dose of economic data.  For the most part, the news was positive: consumer confidence rebounded while shopping for the holiday season, a stronger than expected number of durable goods orders in November, … Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update (+) We discussed this already in depth via the mid-week ‘Fed Note,’ but the FOMC elected to taper—on the order of $10 bil. in total (taking the monthly $85 bil. purchases down to $75 bil.).  Per the official … Continue reading

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