by sslifer | Mar 29, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
March 29, 2024 Crude oil prices have been on the rise since the beginning of the year which some economists believe could delay a midyear Fed rate cut. We disagree. While both crude oil and gasoline prices have risen, there is likely to be little spillover into the...
by sslifer | Mar 22, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
March 22, 2024 The Federal Reserve has indicated that it is likely to cut the fed funds rate three times in 2024 which would reduce the funds rate from its current level of 5.5% to 4.75% by yearend. But those three rate reductions are the tip of the iceberg. The...
by sslifer | Mar 15, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
March 15, 2024 We have written frequently about how the Fed’s temporary run-up in inflation turned out not to be temporary. Because wages have not kept pace with the jump in prices, consumer purchasing power has been reduced. This has soured consumer attitudes...
by sslifer | Mar 8, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
March 8, 2024 Every month employers have a choice. If demand remains solid they can either hire more workers, or work their existing employees longer hours. If in any given month economists know how many people are working and how many hours they worked, they can...
by sslifer | Feb 29, 2024 | Inflation, NumberNomics Notes
February 29, 2024 There are many different measures of inflation, but the one that the Federal Reserve considers to be most important is the personal consumption expenditures deflator, in particular the PCE deflator excluding the volatile food and energy components....
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