Retail and wholesale profit margins fell in April, in a sign of better inflation news ahead.
Progress will be uneven, but the ongoing inventory rebuild should push margins down over the next year.
Jobless claims seem to have stabilized at about 200K per week; nothing to worry about.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- Consumers' confidence has dipped in recent months but it will rebound, and Q1 spending looks good.
- Inflation expectations are falling despite big increases in a wide array of infrequently-purchased items.
- Case-Shiller home price data will reinforce the picture of relentless increases, due to record-low inventory.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
In one line: Flattered by weather effects; manufacturing hit by Omicron?
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- Rates will rise in March, but Powell suggests no bal- ance sheet run-off announcement until May...
- ...Even May is not certain, given the likelihood of a run of very weak activity data between now and then.
- Q4 GDP growth enjoyed a last-minute boost from surging December inventories, upside risk today.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- The Fed is unlikely to announce any decisions on balance sheet run-off today;
- Rates still have to rise, with March the most likely date for lift-off, but the Fed can afford to wait for QT.
- Upside risk for December new home sales, after a run of undershoots compared to mortgage applications.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- The Omicron hit likely will be visible in the retail sales data, but the core goods numbers should be OK.
- Industrial production probably was depressed by very warm December weather; expect a quick rebound.
- Car prices are beginning to moderate in the PPI, both at the manufacturer and dealer margin levels.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- CPI inflation will peak in the next few months, but the speed of the coming downshift is unclear.
- China's PPI inflation is now falling and has further to go; the U.S. will follow soon.
- Seasonal adjustment issues likely pushed jobless claims up again last week, but the trend is falling.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- Covid cases look to be peaking, but ICU occupancy looks set for new pandemic highs.
- The situation will look much better a month from now, as cases drop and Paxlovid cuts hospitalizations.
- As Covid finally recedes, people will start to spend their accumulated savings.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
- Core PCE probably hit a 32-year high in November, but it has further to rise before peaking in February.
- Core capital goods orders are rising, but higher inflation is eating into the gains in real terms.
- Upside risk for November new home sales, given the sustained surge in mortgage applications.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
Core PPI inflation has further to rise, but it should start to fall in January.
The details of the NFIB survey are more important than the headline index...
...Look out for strength in capex plans, and a modest rise in selling prices, lifted by gas prices.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist and Founder)U.S.
