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Americans consume a lot.  So much so that just one economic indicator represents roughly two-thirds of our nation’s output: retail sales.  Unfortunately for the economy, the Census Bureau’s December 2018 iteration of this indicator was weak.  While adjusted for seasonality but not prices, receipts were down 1.2 percent as last year ended.

Prices paid by Americans were unchanged in January 2019 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI).  This comprehensive look at inflation gained just 1.6 percent in the past twelve months.  Stripping out food and energy, the “core” CPI tally gained 0.2 percent to start the year and 2.2 percent on a year-over-year basis. 

Small business lost more confidence to start 2019 according to the latest data from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).  Their business optimism index declined 3.3 points to 101.2, the lowest reading since November 2016.  Small business owners are growing concerned about the unknown as their Uncertainty Index climbed to 86, the fifth highest reading going all the w

Normally around this time in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases information on our nation’s Productivity and Unit Labor Costs from the fourth quarter of the prior year.   Not this time.  With another government shutdown already looming, economic data continues suffering from the last time portions of the federal budget went unfunded.  In the meanti

Normally around this time in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases information on our nation’s Productivity and Unit Labor Costs from the fourth quarter of the prior year.   Not this time.  With another government shutdown already looming, economic data continues suffering from the last time portions of the federal budget went unfunded.  In the meanti

Normally around this time in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases information on our nation’s Productivity and Unit Labor Costs from the fourth quarter of the prior year.   Not this time.  With another government shutdown already looming, economic data continues suffering from the last time portions of the federal budget went unfunded.  In the meanti