by sslifer | Feb 1, 2024 | NumberNomics Notes, Productivity
February 1, 2024 Non-farm productivity rose 3.2% in the fourth quarter after having jumped 4.9% in the third quarter. The fourth quarter increase consisted of a 3.7% increase in output combined with a 0.4% increase in hours worked. Hence, a 3.2% increase in...
by sslifer | Nov 30, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
November 30, 2018 Most economists believe that the economy is growing at a rate well in excess of its assumed potential growth path. That should translate into upward pressure on the inflation rate. The problem is, that is not happening. If the upswing in...
by sslifer | Nov 2, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
November 2, 2018 The market’s attention recently shifted to labor costs which have begun to accelerate. Most economists fear that rapidly rising wages will lead to a further pickup in inflation, force the Fed to quicken the pace of rate hikes, and eventually lead to...
by sslifer | Aug 10, 2018 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
August 10, 2018 There seems to be an emerging consensus that the combination of tax cuts passed last year, and Trump’s deregulation initiative might boost investment spending and GDP growth for an extended period. That has been our position since the tax cuts were...
by sslifer | Mar 31, 2017 | Commentary for the Week, NumberNomics Notes
March 31, 2017 Technology has changed the world and the rate of change is accelerating. Many factory jobs have disappeared as humans have been replaced by robots. The factory jobs that remain require computer and writing skills that were unnecessary 20 years ago. ...
Follow Me