by sslifer | Jul 6, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
July 6, 2018 The economic expansion just celebrated its ninth birthday and is far healthier today than it has been in some time. It has shrugged off two years of stagnation and is chugging along at nearly a 3.0% clip. At this time next year, it will enter the...
by sslifer | Jun 29, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
June 29, 2018 A recent Wall Street Journal article noted how a generation of Americans is entering old age the least prepared in decades. The basic assumption is that baby boomers want to retire at age 65, but soon discover they do not have the financial resources to...
by sslifer | Jun 22, 2018 | Commentary for the Week
June 22, 2018 The trade war talk seems to be escalating. First, Trump imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. China strikes back. Then he then announces tariffs on an additional 200 products. China responds. Meanwhile, Mexico retaliates. The E.U. plans to levy...
by sslifer | Jun 15, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
June 15, 2018 The Fed’s rate hike to 1.75-2.0% this past week was widely anticipated. The modest surprise was that FOMC members are now leaning towards a total of four rate hikes this year. When they last met in early May the committee was split about whether to...
by sslifer | May 24, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
May 25, 2018 The good news this past week is that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced that the imposition of tariffs on many Chinese goods imported into the United States is “on hold” in exchange for a pledge that the Chinese would increase significantly their...
by sslifer | May 18, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
May 18, 2017 The New York Federal Reserve Bank recently released its quarterly report on consumer finances. On the surface, all is well. Consumer debt expanded at a moderate pace in the first quarter of this year. It rose 3.8% in the past year which is roughly in...
Follow Me