In the face of various macroeconomic risks, personal income and spending figures for the U.S. economy remain stable. Recent updates indicate that both metrics showed solid growth in November compared to the previous month, as reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis reports.
Continue reading
While asset allocation is often considered the most crucial investment decision, it’s essential to pay attention to the details involved. Depending on its implementation, asset allocation can sometimes turn into a disadvantage rather than an advantage.
Continue reading
● U.S. consumer spending in November marked its largest increase in three months | Bloomberg
● U.S. Q3 GDP revised slightly down to 2.0% | CBS Money Watch
● U.S. economy on track to grow less than 3% for the tenth consecutive year | Mkt Watch
● Sales of existing homes in the U.S. decline, with new regulations cited as a contributing factor | Reuters
● Richmond Fed’s report indicates manufacturing has expanded in the Atlantic region | Bond Buyer
● Economist Summers points out that the Federal Reserve’s missteps contribute to economic pessimism | WaPo
● OPEC predicts that developing nations will drive energy demand for the next 25 years | MNI
Recent data reveals that financial stress levels in the U.S. have been low, as per four indicators released by Federal Reserve banks. This relative stability follows the first increase in the Fed funds rate in nearly ten years, along with a widening high-yield spread and rising concerns regarding economic growth. Despite these shifts, various metrics designed to assess overall financial stress indicate a generally calm environment within the nation’s financial system.
Continue reading
● Chicago Fed indicates U.S. economic growth slowed in November | Chicago Fed
● Eurozone consumer confidence shows a rise in December | EC
● German consumer confidence expected to improve in January | DW
● China has ceased publication of another economic indicator: Minxin suspends PMI | Bloomberg
● Manufacturing employment in China under scrutiny: A unique case | Petersen Inst
● China announces its economic plan for 2016 | WSJ
According to the most recent update from the Chicago Fed National Activity Index, U.S. economic growth for November remains below the historical trend for the second consecutive month. The revised data for the three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) fell to a negative 0.20 last month, slightly down from -0.18 in October, marking the lowest level since March.
Continue reading
Predictions indicate that U.S. economic growth is likely to decelerate in the fourth quarter. The Capital Spectator’s average forecast, based on various econometric analyses, suggests that Q4 GDP will increase at a sluggish 1.5% (seasonally adjusted annual rate), a decline from Q3’s 2.1% growth.
Continue reading
Emerging market equities experienced a rebound last week, climbing 3.4% during the five trading days leading up to December 18, as measured by the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). This rise, the first in several weeks, represents the best performance among major asset classes for the past week, based on a selection of proxy funds.
Continue reading
● PMI reveals the slowest growth in the U.S. service sector since December 2014 | Markit
● Kansas City Fed manufacturing index falls back into negative territory in December | KC Fed
● U.S. business inflation expectations increase slightly to 1.9% | Atlanta Fed
● Oil prices drop to an 11-year low | Reuters
● A closer look at the nuances of aging expansions and bull markets | Bloomberg
As we close another year, it’s an opportune moment to revisit some standout titles from The Capital Spectator’s weekly Book Bits column. Here are five notable economics and finance books from 2015 that deserve a second glance. Additional recaps will follow over the next couple of weekends. Happy reading!
Continue reading
In conclusion, while key economic indicators show a blend of stability and concern, monitoring these trends remains essential for understanding the broader economic landscape. As the year transitions, keeping track of developments will provide valuable insights into future economic trajectories.
