US Economics Update Fed launches taper, still thinks inflation is transitory The Fed unveiled its QE taper today, as widely expected, but is still insisting that the surge in inflation is "largely" transitory, which suggests the doves have the upper hand. 3rd November 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Deepening labour shortages point to lasting damage The August Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey released yesterday added to signs that labour shortages are still getting worse at a time when many of the temporary factors that were supposedly... 13th October 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Debt ceiling deal may only delay the inevitable The entrenched positions of both sides suggest the deal to suspend the debt ceiling until December may only delay rather than avert a crisis. And in that scenario, we doubt that the Treasury minting a... 7th October 2021 · 4 mins read
US Economics Update Debt ceiling crisis can still be avoided We still expect Congress to avoid a partial government shutdown at the start of next month and to raise the debt ceiling before a full-blown crisis develops in late October. But the negotiations over... 27th September 2021 · 5 mins read
US Economics Update Taper to begin in November Fed officials gave a heavy hint today that the QE taper will be formally announced in November and, presumably in response to concerns that the surge in inflation won't be as transitory as they... 22nd September 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Rising cyclical pressure will keep inflation elevated The spread of the Delta variant domestically has triggered a temporary reversal in the reopening inflation in high contact services, but its spread across other parts of the world will intensify... 16th September 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Delta not the main factor weighing on growth With authorities having shown no appetite to reimpose restrictions on activity and new virus cases now levelling off, the Delta variant is still unlikely to have as big an impact on the economy as... 13th September 2021 · 4 mins read
US Economics Update Fed’s core measures point to sustained inflation ahead In his Jackson Hole speech, Fed Chair Jerome Powell highlighted alternative measures of inflation, including the Dallas Fed trimmed-mean PCE and inflation ex-durable goods, which he claimed were... 9th September 2021 · 4 mins read
US Economics Update Delta contributing to worsening labour shortages The continued surge in job openings and elevated quits rate in July suggest that labour shortages are still intensifying, which will put further upward pressure on wages. (See Chart 1.) There is... 8th September 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jul.) The latest data show that growth in the main monetary aggregates is slowing even before the Fed starts tapering its monthly asset purchases, although it remains strong by historic standards. We’ll be... 1st September 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Uncertainties surround QE taper timing and pace With the Delta-linked resurgence in coronavirus infections adding to the downside risks to economic growth and officials still split on exactly what qualifies as “substantial further progress” toward... 26th August 2021 · 6 mins read
US Economics Update New fiscal stimulus likely to be underwhelming The bipartisan infrastructure deal, which could be passed by end-September, would provide no meaningful boost to the economy over the next couple of years. The $3.5trn spending package that Democrats... 25th August 2021 · 4 mins read
US Economics Update Labour shortages pushing wage growth higher The ongoing surge in both job openings and quits in June suggests that labour shortages are still getting worse. While the acceleration in payroll gains in recent months suggests that is not proving... 9th August 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics How could Biden reshape the Fed? Whether President Joe Biden chooses to reappoint Jerome Powell or to nominate Lael Brainard to be the next Fed Chair, it is unlikely in itself to have much impact on the near-term outlook for monetary... 5th August 2021 · 6 mins read
US Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jun.) Although the headline data show bank loans stagnant, that is mostly due to the forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans and mortgage securitisations, with the broader evidence pointing to an... 5th August 2021 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update Fed offers first hint on tapering The Fed took a small step toward the eventual tapering of its asset purchases by altering the language in the statement released today, but officials appear to be in no rush. We still expect an... 28th July 2021 · 3 mins read
