Newsletters

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell to 88.5 in March. This is the weakest reading since December 2012 as “owners continue to manage numerous economic headwinds,” per Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. What’s the bottom line? The NFIB noted that inflation is back on top as the biggest problem small businesses […]

Initial Jobless Claims fell by 11,000 in the latest week, retreating from a two-month high, as 211,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time. However, Continuing Claims surged higher by 28,000, with 1.817 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? Initial Jobless Claims can be volatile from week […]

The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation on the wholesale level, rose 0.2% in March, just below estimates. On an annual basis, PPI rose from 1.6% to 2.1%, but this was better than the 2.2% estimate. Core PPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was in line with forecasts at a 0.2% rise. […]

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed higher-than-expected inflation in March, with the headline reading up 0.4% from February. On an annual basis, CPI moved in the wrong direction, rising from 3.2% to 3.5%. The Core measure, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, increased 0.4% while that annual reading remained at 3.8% (though it […]

Initial Jobless Claims fell slightly in the latest week, with 210,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. This was a decline of 2,000 from the previous week. Continuing Claims rose by 24,000, with 1.819 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? Initial Jobless Claims have hovered between […]

You’ll enjoy National Coffee Cake Day on April 7 thanks to this scrumptious and easy recipe courtesy of Allrecipes. Yields 15 servings. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan. To make the streusel topping, combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium […]

The Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which is considered the “gold standard” for appreciation, showed home prices nationwide rose 0.4% from December to January after seasonal adjustment. Home values in January were also 6% higher than a year earlier, with S&P DJI’s Head of Commodities, Brian D. Luke, explaining that this was the “fastest annual rate since […]

Pending Home Sales rose 1.6% from January to February per the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which is another sign of underlying strength in the housing market given February’s uptick in rates. This report measures signed contracts on existing homes, making it an important forward-looking indicator for closings on these homes, which are measured in […]

After two consecutive months of gains, New Home Sales (which measure signed contracts on new homes) inched down 0.3% from January to February. While the media tried to put a negative spin on the report, home sales remaining stable in February shows some strength given that rates moved higher when compared to January. Plus, sales were […]

February’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) showed that headline inflation rose 0.3% from January, with the year-over-year reading up from 2.4% to 2.5%. Core PCE, the Fed’s preferred method which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.3% monthly. The year-over-year reading fell from 2.9% to 2.8%, pushing this important metric one step closer […]

Initial Jobless Claims were relatively flat in the latest week, with 210,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. This was a decline of 2,000 from the previous week. Continuing Claims rose by 4,000, with 1.807 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? Initial Jobless Claims remain tame […]

Baseball is back! These ballpark inspired Honey Roasted Peanuts courtesy of The Spruce Eats are sure to be a homerun every time. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and […]

Housing Starts saw a big rebound in February, with both single-family and multi-family construction improving from January’s slump. When compared to a year ago, however, single-family starts were up 35.2% while multi-family starts were down 35.9%. This suggests that we’re seeing a shift from multi-family to single-family construction, which is welcome news as this is where supply is needed around […]

Existing Home Sales jumped 9.5% from January to February to a 4.38-million-unit annualized pace, reaching their highest level in a year per the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This report measures closings on existing homes in February and likely reflects people shopping for homes in December and January, when rates were improved from last fall’s […]

Confidence among home builders broke above the key breakeven threshold of 50 and into positive territory for the first time since last July, per the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Their Housing Market Index climbed three points to 51 in March, which was also the fourth consecutive monthly gain. Any score over 50 on this index, which runs […]