Following the blockbuster jobs report last week, there was extra scrutiny placed on this weeks inflation reports. The overriding question is whether the data would validate or undercut the Feds rebalancing of risks, from worrying about elevated inflation to concern over a deteriorating job market. The jumbo half-point rate cut taken at the mid-September policy…
One big external shock was taken off the table late Thursday, when the longshoremen agreed to suspend their strike until January, allowing negotiations to continue. With the ports reopening, the prospect of pandemic-era supply disruptions, steep price hikes on many goods and widespread furloughs have been derailed, at least for several months. Even so, the…
The Federal Reserve with its jumbo half-point rate cut dominated the headlines last week, spurring a panoply of questions as to whether it was the right size, how fast will it go down and where will it end. This week, the focus shifted back to the economy where developments will ultimately provide answers to those…