Category Archives: Economic News

0) The CPI inflation number for January was flat, which was a bit less than the slight increase of +0.1% expected. However, the core inflation number—which excludes more volatile food and energy prices—gained +0.3% as opposed to an expected +0.2%. … Continue reading →

With employment, ISM and GDP all in the news, this was one of the higher-profile reporting weeks in some time. (0) To set the tone, the Federal Open Market Committee met mid-week and no changes in policy were announced (see … Continue reading →

(-) Existing home sales for December fell by -1.0%, which ran contrary to an expected +1.2% gain, and obviously was a bit of a disappointment.  Single family home sales dropped by -1.4%, which were offset somewhat by condo sales, which … Continue reading →

As expected, the FOMC did not indicate any change in the Fed Funds rate target at the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting.  The formal statement put out by the committee was largely as anticipated, with continued guidance of keeping rates ‘exceptionally … Continue reading →

The FOMC today made no changes on the interest rate front—which was no surprise—and is keeping rates at a very accommodative 0.00-0.25% range.  Despite mentioning that ‘strains in global financial markets have eased,’ they signaled an intention to keep rates … Continue reading →

It was a fairly light week, as far as economic data was concerned. Existing home sales increased in January by +4.3% to 4.57 million units, which was higher than forecast but was somewhat tempered by some adjustments to the December … Continue reading →

The Federal Reserve decided to leave their target rate unchanged at 0.00-0.25% at the conclusion of today’s meeting.  This was no surprise, nor was their continued use of the language pertaining to their policy of “exceptionally low interest rates at … Continue reading →

Economic Notes European concerns continued to dominate other issues.  This is unfortunate, considering that U.S. news has been looking better as of late and is perhaps underappreciated.  Japan, which has also been largely ignored, grew for the first time in … Continue reading →

The Federal Reserve decided to hold steady again today, with target rates at 0.00 to 0.25%, which was largely expected.  They reiterated their expectation of keeping rates at these lower levels for the same “extended” period (mid-2013 at this point), … Continue reading →

Just as October gave us a month with equities up 10+%, November started with more negativity.  While European financial officials last week worked countless hours to find an outlet to contain and absorb losses on Greek (along with other peripheral) … Continue reading →