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 2, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
February 2, 2024 At first blush the employment report for January appears to be an upside blowout. Payroll employment surged by 353 thousand when a gain of 175 thousand had been expected. Average hourly earnings jumped 0.6% in January versus an increase of 0.3%...
by sslifer | Jan 19, 2024 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
January 19, 2024 Most economists expect the economy to slow in the first half of 2023 and some still anticipate a recession in the months ahead. That appears to be an increasingly unlikely scenario. The economy closed out last year on a strong note and that strength...
by sslifer | Dec 8, 2023 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
December 8, 2023 The employment report for November defied expectations as the economy generated 199 thousand jobs and the unemployment rate fell 0.2% to 3.7%. At the same time, consumer sentiment jumped 13% in December and is now close to its highest level in two...
Follow Me