Real rates (yields minus expected inflation) crossed into negative territory last week, garnering attention from the financial press as an additional signal of an economy at risk.
But, as shown in LPL Research’s Chart of the day, R
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August’s jobs report was weaker than expected, showing that corporate hiring has slowed a bit recently.
Nonfarm payrolls rose 130,000 in August, below consensus expectations for a 164,000 gain despite a 25,000 bump from temporary j
...World trade volumes contracted in June and the second quarter as the United States-China trade conflict impacted the amount of goods crossing borders. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, trade has contracted for three consecutive quarters.
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U.S. consumers are feeling especially empowered these days, despite growing pessimism about the economic outlook.
As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, Consumer Confidence Pushes Through Trade Uncertainty, the Conference Board’s Co
...Business investment remains a critical component for this economic expansion.
Capital expenditures (capex) drive productivity gains (more output per hour worked), which enables economic growth while keeping inflation contained. That help
...U.S. leading indicators rebounded in July, a good sign for the durability of the expansion.
The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.5% month over month, the biggest gain since September 2018, and above consensus
...Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) July meeting, released August 21, show the complexity of policymakers’ discussions leading up to the first rate cut of this economic cycle.
Policymakers debated what to do amid strong
...Trade tensions continue to weigh on China’s growth, creating added pressure to reach a trade deal with the United States.
Economic reports released last week provided further confirmation that the trade war is continuing to affect
...U.S. economic data has been sound this week, providing investors with good news amid a wave of conflicting headlines and market volatility.
Second quarter nonfarm productivity, released August 15, was an especially encouraging report. As
...A closely watched point on the Treasury yield curve has fallen negative for the first time in this economic cycle.
As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, Yield Curve Inversion Raises Economic Questions, the spread between the 2-year and 1
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