The numbers: A pair of surveys of U.S. businesses added to mounting evidence on Wednesday that the economy is slowing in the wake of a record coronavirus outbreak. IHS Markit said its “flash” survey of executives at service-oriented companies such as restaurants, financial firms and health-care providers fell to 55.3 …
Read More »: Economic forecasts haven’t accelerated after good vaccine news. That’s puzzling, experts say
Stock markets certainly have reacted to the good news on the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. The S&P 500 SPX, -0.79% has gained about 6% since Pfizer PFE, -1.67% first announced its vaccine was more than 90% successful in treating COVID-19, as has the MSCI World 892400, -0.46%. But that’s …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence deflates in November after record coronavirus surge
The election of Joe Biden as president has increased confidence among Democrats, but not enough to counter growing worries about the record spike in coronavirus cases. alex edelman/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The numbers: Consumer confidence fell in November to a three-month low after a record wave of coronavirus cases spurred some …
Read More »Capitol Report: ‘She can start repairing the damage in economic diplomacy’ — analysts react to Yellen as Biden’s Treasury secretary
Economists and other analysts were sounding off Monday following news that President-elect Joe Biden has selected former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen to lead the Treasury Department. Biden plans to nominate Yellen, said a Wall Street Journal article citing unnamed sources, and other news outlets also reported that she was …
Read More »: U.S. leading economic indicators rise again in October, but growth is slowing
The U.S. economy might be getting ill again from the coronavirus. Mario Tama/Getty Images The numbers: The U.S. economy expanded again in October at a moderate pace, according to a survey of leading indicators, but growth is slowing and likely to taper off even further as the coronavirus reasserts itself. …
Read More »Economic Report: Hiring falls slightly in September as recovery in U.S. labor market slackens
A restaurant displays a “Now Hiring” sign amid the coronavirus pandemic in Arlington, Virginia. Companies are still hiring more workers, but not as fast as they were during the summer. olivier douliery/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The numbers: Job openings in the U.S. rose slightly in September and layoffs declined, but hiring …
Read More »: EU-U.K. trade talks resume, after a few tense days. Here’s why the discussions must not trigger an economic shock
Fishing boats moored at the port of Le Guilvinec, western France. AFP via Getty Images Negotiations between the European Union and the U.K. will resume in London on Thursday after a few tense days. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had threatened to end the talks because EU leaders took a …
Read More »Key Words: Billionaire investor Howard Marks paints grim view of economic outlook: stimulus alone won’t cure ‘down-cycle’
The U.S. stock market has rebounded mightily in recent months but Howard Marks cautions investors to brace for a tough slog in the economy, and that’s even if a fresh fiscal stimulus package can be passed by Congress to help heal the coronavirus-stricken business climate. “Thus, this down-cycle cannot be …
Read More »Economic Report: U.K. unemployment rate reaches higher-than-expected 4.5%
Members of the public walk past the Cineworld cinema in Leicester Square on October 05, 2020 in London, England. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The U.K. jobless rate jumped to 4.5% in the June to August period, the Office for National Statistics reported on Tuesday. The unemployment rate was higher than the …
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