FRB Chair Yellen suggested yesterday the central bank might delay, but not abandon, planned interest rate increases in response to recent turmoil in financial markets. Yellen also stated the obvious that the turbulence had “significantly” tightened financial conditions by pushing down stock prices, pushing up...
A widely followed fear index is now 15 out of a 100. If the CNBC account is correct this index is higher today than it was in January 2009....
I am interpreting January’s labor report positively. Yes, non-farm and private sector job creation did disappoint and there was also a downward revision in the prior month’s data but I think the strong growth in average hourly pay, hours worked and increase in the labor...
Earlier in the week I used the word “Pollyannaish” to describe my 2016 economic outlook, an outlook predicated upon the initial release of fourth quarter GDP. This outlook is perhaps in stark contrast to the outlook that is becoming the primary market narrative which is...
Equities staged a rebound to close virtually unchanged from over a 1.0% deficit following a statement from a Federal Reserve official that policy moves are not predetermined amid the recent market turmoil. The dollar weakened and oil fell....
Welcome to February! Will the next 30 days be the inverse of the previous 30 as we just experience the worst January since 2009, the height of the financial crisis? As commented last week, I think the economy/markets are at a transition point. Will growth...
January is over and most are happy to forget the month. It is the worst start of the year since 2008 as the selloff has erased over $7 trillion from market value worldwide. January is also the worst month since 2010. Will February be the...
Equities fell as the Federal Reserve indicated it is prepared to raise rates as the economy strengthens while acknowledging financial market turmoil may pose risks to their outlook. Some were speculating the central bank would signal a willingness to step up stimulus measures....
Stocks surged yesterday on optimism that consumer confidence will boost the economy. Oil also advanced on a possible coordinated production cut from OPEC and Russia. As all know, oil and stocks plunged Monday on the inverse reasons of yesterday’s advance....
Today is the commencement of the 2 day FOMC meeting. No change in monetary policy is expected. I am certain the central bank will know the fourth quarter growth rate. Analysts are expecting a 0.8% increase for the period, the slowest pace since the 0.6%...