1. INTEREST RATE DECISION/ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS At its September 20th meeting, FOMC officials left their benchmark interest rate unchanged, just their second pause since they began tightening rates in March 2022. Markets and onlookers were well-prepared for the decision, with futures markets pricing in a no-hike scenario in September for the past several weeks. Like their …
1. FED INTEREST RATE CUT The Federal Reserve cut its primary policy interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) in September to a target range of 4.75%-5%, the first interest rate reduction since policymakers began their fight against postpandemic inflation in March 2022. Leading up to the September meeting, Fed Fund futures signaled that an …
1. CPI INFLATION The Consumer Price Index rose 3.7% year-over-year and 0.6% month-over-month in August, its largest monthly increase this year, according to Wednesday’s release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Energy was responsible for much of the increase in headline inflation, rising 5.6% on the month, including a 10.6% increase in gasoline offset by …
1. CPI INFLATION According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2% month-over-month (MoM) in August, repeating July’s pace and in line with the consensus forecasts that led up to the data release. The annual CPI measure fell for the fifth consecutive month to 2.5%, its lowest since …
1. FED POISED TO PIVOT The FOMC is poised to cut interest rates in September for the first time in over two and a half years, evidenced by recent statements from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and a 100% consensus forecast that has formed in futures markets. During a speech at the Fed’s annual retreat in …
1. AI AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE A recent article by MSCI Real Capital Analytics suggests that despite the growing concern about AI’s potential impact on commercial real estate, a balanced view should be taken that considers both the economic risks of AI and its potential positive impact on productivity. The authors argue that AI could …
1. INFLATION According to the BLS, the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaccelerated on a monthly basis in July but continued to decelerate annually. Prices rose by 0.2% between June and July, following a decline of 0.1% the previous month. Prices decelerated to 2.9% year-over-year before seasonal adjustment. The monthly uptick in Core-CPI, which excludes …
1. GDP According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.8% in the second quarter, up from 1.4% in the first quarter and above the consensus forecasts of 2%. Consumer spending accelerated from the first quarter, climbing from a 1.5% annualized rate to 2.3%. Goods consumption spurred …
1. GDP According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.8% in the second quarter, up from 1.4% in the first quarter and above the consensus forecasts of 2%. Consumer spending accelerated from the first quarter, climbing from a 1.5% annualized rate to 2.3%. Goods consumption spurred …
1. INFLATION The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.2% month-over-month and 3.0% year-over-year through June, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. June’s monthly pace was a slightly uptick from May, but inflation continued to trend down on an annual basis. Shelter remains the largest contributor to month-over-month price increases, …