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 U.S. economy
Uncertainty Spring
Just wondering…how does one attempt an economic and financial forecast in the wake of major uncertainties… How will the three-legged catastrophe of a 9.0 earthquake, destructive tsunamis, and potential nuclear meltdown in Japan impact the global economy? Will the plunge in Japanese stock prices of recent days continue to lead U.S. and global stocks lower? [...]
A Noisy Soggy Mushy Jobs Report
The weather-impacted January employment report was described by various financial market analysts and economists as lousy, confusing, mysterious, frustrating, noisy, favorable, confounding, and most any other descriptor you can imagine. Suffice to say that we will need to see the February report in early March to get any much needed clarity. Officially, the U.S. economy [...]
Lookin’ Back…Lookin’ Forward
Calendar year 2010 was quite an emotional ride, with numerous unprecedented events taking place. Let’s hope 2011 is a bit tamer, even as U.S. economic performance is likely to improve. Let’s see… 2010’s list included mind-boggling government stimulus and associated budget deficits around the globe…enormous financial pressure on Southern European nations to get a handle [...]
Outlook 2011
The U.S. Economy While the American economy has now registered growth for five consecutive quarters, the pace of that growth has been meager, averaging a 2.9% real (after inflation) annual rate…and just a 2.1% rate during the past two quarters. Such growth trails the average 3.6% real annual growth pace of the past 30 years. [...]
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. [...]
Happy Talk
The “dismal science” of economics typically focuses on “bad” news. We clearly face many significant challenges…no argument here. However, there are also many favorable developments taking place within the U.S. economy. This is our semi-annual update of “Happy Talk.” This Tea Leaf focuses ONLY on the “good” news… Economic output of the average American worker [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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