Global Economy

With the economic landscape dominated by the Federal Reserve’s tightening program, there has been a lot of speculation about how this would impact the economy. Despite some trepidation, the economy has held up remarkably well. However, as we look ahead, it’s important to note that with two more likely hikes in 2023, the risk of a slowdown remains elevated. Take a Hike: In retrospect, the first quarter of the year presented a strong performance for the investment grade bond market. In stark contrast, the second quarter mostly marked time. Treasury…

While recent economic data may paint an optimistic picture of the economy, a deeper analysis reveals a more precarious situation. The University of Michigan’s consumer survey indicates consumer sentiment, current conditions and future expectations are all on the rise, albeit with 1-year inflation expectations also increasing. This paints a paradoxical picture of a booming economy in contrast to rising inflationary pressures and higher than expected core inflation. Amidst this background, investors and economists are cautiously observing a brewing ‘Minsky Moment’ – a term that resonates with unsettling echoes from the…

At the heart of most financial discussions these days, inflation is the recurring boogeyman that haunts the dreams of economists and investors. A core inflation rate below 3% would be a reason for the Federal Reserve to heave a sigh of relief, and it would have a positive domino effect on stocks, sparking an uptrend and quelling consumers’ anxieties about the escalating cost of living. But can this dream become reality? It seems possible, especially if we choose to measure U.S. price changes the way Europe does. In May, by…

The United States has always been a beacon for international investment, a beacon that continued to shine brightly last year despite mounting global uncertainties and fiscal challenges. According to recently released data from the United Nations, the U.S. remained the top international investment destination in 2022, albeit experiencing a dip in inflows due to a sharp decrease in foreign purchases of American companies. In 2022, the U.S. attracted $285 billion in foreign investment, a significant drop from the $388 billion received in 2021. Nevertheless, these figures need to be examined…

A specter is haunting the world’s financial stage – the specter of a possible demise of the US dollar. Not necessarily an imminent event, but it’s prudent to consider alternatives in case this economic titan eventually stumbles and falls, consumed in a potential hyperinflationary fire. This threat, while seemingly distant given the resilience of the dollar in recent years, is not entirely far-fetched. Despite the reckless policies over the past three years, the US dollar has remained steadfast. However, if it loses its status as the international reserve currency –…

This Fourth of July, motorists across the nation are gearing up for road trips and family reunions, fueled by the significant dip in gas prices compared to the previous year. This decline in fuel cost is not only revving up the holiday spirit but also making a tangible impact on people’s travel decisions. Take Mathew Alvarez, a 36-year-old machinist from Los Angeles, for instance. Last year, the record-high gas prices prevented Alvarez from making the 100-mile journey to his family in Tehachapi, California, during the holiday season. As a response…

In the world of agriculture and food production, a new trend is causing ripples of concern across the United States. China’s increasing investment in U.S. farmland is a topic of considerable debate, with the National Black Farmers Association’s President, John Boyd Jr., leading the charge. His apprehensions center around China’s potential impact on U.S. food security, particularly in light of its growing control over American farmland and related industries. China’s Growing Farmland Investments Over the past few years, the trend of Chinese-owned companies purchasing vast amounts of rural farmland in…

From July 2022, the US bond market has witnessed a phenomenon that has traditionally been regarded as a warning sign for the economy: an inversion of the yield curve. As of May 29, 2023, the 2-year Treasury yield topped the 10-year rate, and the 10-2 Year Treasury Yield Spread fell to -0.84%. While the yield curve inverting doesn’t guarantee an economic downturn, it’s a signal that has preceded every recession in the past 50 years, thus creating a heightened sense of concern. Understanding what the yield curve is and what…

With negotiations underway, a US default remains a low but distinct possibility. When might the default “x-date” fall – and how will markets respond? The US risks default in a matter of weeks unless Congress can reach a deal to raise the country’s borrowing limit. While negotiations are underway, if the “x-date” (see below) passes without the debt ceiling being raised, coupon payments and redemptions of Treasury securities will stop. While technical lapses have occurred – such as the 1979 check-processing glitch that delayed some redemption requests – a true…

Former Fed economist John Roberts does an exercise on what a lower 2023 unemployment rate projection (of 4.2%, instead of 4.6%) could do to FOMC’s SEP. To keep inflation on the current projected path, the terminal rate estimate might go up to 5.6% The economy in 2022 was remarkably resilient to higher interest rates and tighter financial conditions. Although residential construction fell, consumer spending continued to expand. The labor market remained strong in the second half of the year, with payrolls rising 357 thousand per month and the unemployment rate…