Federal Reserve

Prices increased for Americans in August 2017 according to the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statics.  Rising 0.4 percent, this latest increase follows an uptick of 0.1 percent in July.  Year-over-year, this price proxy increased 1.9 percent, accelerating from 1.7 percent a month earlier.  Core inflation which excludes food and energy increased at a more subdued p

Prices paid by producers and wholesalers rose 0.2 percent in August 2017. This most recent release followed a slight decline a month earlier and an increase of 0.1 percent in June. Versus a year ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index was 2.4 percent higher, accelerating from 1.9 percent in July.

America’s economy grew faster in the second quarter of 2017 than initially tallied according to data regarding gross domestic product (GDP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  After more complete information was collected, it now appears that output increased at the fastest pace since the first quarter of 2015.  Growing 3.0 percent on an inflation-adjusted annualized basis (i

Economic output moved roughly in-line with its historical trend in July according to data from the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI). This comprehensive gauge of the economy declined to -0.01 as the second half of 2017 got underway, down from +0.16 in June.

America’s output of physically made goods rose for a second consecutive month in July 2017 according to Industrial Production figures produced by the Federal Reserve.  Rising 0.2 percent, this cyclically sensitive indicator decelerated from 0.4 percent in June.  Despite the monthly slowdown, its year over year tally reached 2.2 percent, the best level since January 2015.

Proprietors of small companies are feeling better about the future for the first time in five months according to the National Federation of Independent Business.

Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Income and Outlays was short on good news for June 2017. As the first half of this year came to a close, there was no change to the national income figure versus a month earlier. As one might presume, this stunted consumption’s growth in the period, rising just 0.1 percent.

Economic output improved in June 2017 according to data from the Chicago Federal Reserve’s National Activity Index (CFNAI).  The monthly tally reversed some of May’s downward slide of -0.3 percent by increasing +0.13 percent as the year reached the half-way point.  Rising to +0.06, the three-month moving average for this comprehensive look at the economy suggests America&r

America is quickly approaching its debt limit, and some market participants are concerned.  Their worry stems from the possibility that our nation will be unable to pay debts that mature soon.  According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, the Treasury will run out of money in early to mid-October.  For the first time since the financial crisis of 2008-2009, the