U.S. economic growth slowed during 2011’s first quarter, impacted by higher energy prices and poor weather. Such growth is likely to pick up speed in coming quarters. The American economy grew at a 1.8% real (after inflation) annual rate during the January–March 2011 quarter, the weakest performance since 2010’s second quarter. The meager 1.8% growth [...]
Archive of posts tagged Federal Reserve
Higher Rates…Sooner Rather Than Later?
Odds are rising that the Federal Reserve, this nation’s central bank, could decide to push its key interest rate up later this year in an effort to address rising inflationary pressures. Such a move would follow recent interest rate increases by various central banks around the globe, while others have remained silent… …such a move, [...]
The Mysterious Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve’s high-stakes “roll of the dice” to keep deflation at bay, while also attempting to stimulate the American economy (and generate a wee bit of inflation) remains largely on track. Where we go from here remains the subject of intense debate as the Fed continues to operate in uncharted waters. U.S. consumer prices [...]
Two Steps Forward
Of the three major economic and financial developments of the past week two could be viewed positively, while one falls into the “wait and see” camp. First up, American job creation was better than expected during the month of October. In addition, employment data of the two prior months was revised to be less ugly. [...]
35 Miles Per Hour
The American economy is a modified “hot rod” featuring two separate gas pedals—with each pedal pushed fully to the floor. Despite this fact, the American economy is lumbering down the track at a less-than-blistering 35 miles per hour pace… …someone please release the brake Actually, this moving contraption has a variety of hand brakes…all engaged. [...]
Observations
Wednesday of this week marks the end of a very busy (and most welcome) period of speaking events…13 presentations in 11 different industries; 24 flights over 20 days; events in nine different states plus Vancouver, BC; with four separate trips to the East Coast…which is not exactly close to my home in northern Utah… Delta [...]
Autumn View
The American Economy …confidence is lacking Most forecasting economists will tell you that the U.S. economy returned to growth about 12-15 months ago…statistically at least, if not emotionally. The National Bureau of Economic Research, the “official” scorekeeper for the American economy, is expected to make that call at any time in coming months. We do [...]
No Confidence
Note the direction of U.S. economic growth during the past few quarters as identified in the quarterly growth chart—from a solid 5.0% real (after inflation) annual rate late last year, to a still respectable 3.7% pace during the winter, to an anemic 1.6% annual rate in the quarter just ended… Observe that the revised 1.6% [...]
Summertime View
The U.S. Economy …a three quarter stretch The American economy has now registered a reasonable growth pace for three straight quarters, following four straight quarters of economic decline. Constraining a more impressive economic growth rate are sluggish residential and commercial real estate valuations and soft demand, historically high unemployment, and consumer anxiety about ever-expanding government [...]
It’s Not My Fault!
Alan Greenspan stepped down as Federal Reserve Chairman in January 2006. Greenspan’s more-than-18-year run as Fed Chair was the second longest in the Fed’s history. Upon his retirement from the Fed, Alan Greenspan largely expected to “retire” to a life of constant admiration from financial market players and the media for the noble job he [...]
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