March 21, 2025 United States: Fed’s Williams Says Modestly Restrictive Rates Appropriate   Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said there’s a high level of uncertainty over how rapid changes to immigration, trade and fiscal policy will alter the economy, but the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate and positions the

March 20, 2025 United States: US Jobless Claims Hold Steady at Low Level in Solid Job Market   Applications for US unemployment benefits were little changed last week at a relatively low level that underscores a resilient labor market.   Initial claims increased by 2,000 to 223,000 in the week ended March 15, according to

March 19, 2025 United States: US Mortgage Rates Increase for First Time in Nine Weeks   The average US 30-year mortgage rate rose for the first time since early January, causing a pullback in refinancing and tempering purchase activity.   The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage climbed 5 basis points to 6.72% in the

March 18, 2025 United States: US Factory Production Rises by Most in a Year on Auto Output   US factory output rose by the most in a year as a surge in motor vehicle production led a broader increase that helps ease concern of weakening in manufacturing.   Manufacturing output, which accounts for three-fourths of

March 17, 2025 United States: US Retail Sales Rise by Less Than Forecast After January Drop   US retail sales rose by less than forecast in February and the prior month was revised lower, adding to concerns of a pullback in consumer spending.   The value of retail purchases, not adjusted for inflation, increased 0.2%,

March 14, 2025 United States: Fed Expected to Cut Rates Twice This Year, Starting in September   The Federal Reserve will keep interest rates steady through the first half of the year, before delivering two reductions beginning in September, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.   Fed officials have signalled they may be on

March 13, 2025   United States: US Producer Prices Stall While Details Suggest Firmer Fed Gauge   US wholesale inflation stagnated in February thanks to a decline in services costs, but details for the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge were less favorable.   The producer price index was unchanged from a month earlier following a

March 12, 2025 United States: US Inflation Eases, Offering Some Relief Ahead of Tariffs   US consumer prices rose at the slowest pace in four months in February, offering some reprieve ahead of tariffs that are expected to drive costs higher.   The consumer price index increased 0.2% after a sharp 0.5% advance in January,

March 11, 2025 United States: US Small-Business Optimism Retreats as More Shift to Price Hikes   US small-business optimism fell to a four-month low in February and a gauge of uncertainty neared a record high as business owners grew uneasy about tariffs.   The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index declined 2.1 points to

March 10, 2025 United States: US Credit Risk Rises as Tariffs, Job Cuts Stoke Recession Fears   US gauges are showing their highest levels of credit risk this year Monday morning, as investors exhibit fresh concern about the state of the country’s economy in light of tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce.   As