Category Archives: Economic Outlook

FYI: Think It’s Easy to Reduce Demand for Russian Gas? Think Again

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

There’s a lot of big talk about Europe slashing its addition to Russian oil and gas.  But it’s not so easy.  Turns out that Russia is the major supplier of fossil fuels to Europe, period.    Russia accounts for 49% … Continue reading →

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Economy Watch: Fed Expects 6 Rate Hikes, with Rate Peaking at 2.8%

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Once the Fed’s rate reaches 2.8%, it’s expected to stay there until 2023 before retreating a bit to 2.4%. Wednesday’s quarter-point increase was less than St. Louis Fed Chair James Bullard had pushed — he had wanted a half-point increase … Continue reading →

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Inflation Is Here and Will Stay; a Boom Is Coming

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

No doubt about inflation, and we think no doubt about a boom, either. Inflation: The only direction for inflation is up, ING Economics notes, expecting it to soon get close to 9% as businesses surging commodity and labor costs get passed … Continue reading →

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Service Sector Economic Activity Slows in February

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The just-released Services PMI report from the Institute for Supply Management shows economic activity in the services sector grew in February for the 21st consecutive month.  But that growth was at a slower pace, with the Services PMI at 56.5%, … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing Grew in February

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in February, with the overall economy achieving a 21st consecutive month of growth although the U.S. manufacturing sector remains in a demand-driven, supply chain-constrained environment, the Institute for Supply Management reports. The COVID-19 … Continue reading →

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Consumer Confidence Ticks Downward

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell slightly in February, after a decrease in January. The Index now stands at 110.5 (1985=100), down from 111.1 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—improved … Continue reading →

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