The U.S. economy is primed to grow at least 2% for the seventh quarter in a row - the first time it's happened in 20 years. And it's taking place even after the Fed sharply raised interest rates. Just what the heck is going on? marketwatch.com/story/the-u-s-…

Worries about inflation aren't going away. The Fed, Wall Street, businesses, households. Consumer sentiment falls in April on worries about sticky inflation. marketwatch.com/story/consumer…

The March jobs report forecast calls for 200,000 new jobs and a 3.8% unemployment rate. A bit too hot for the Fed, probably, but the labor market has cooled a little bit since last year. marketwatch.com/story/march-jo…

The labor market is still pretty darn strong and manufacturers appear to be primed for recovery. Not sure the U.S. economy is showing enough slack to get inflation to slow as rapidly as the Fed would like ... marketwatch.com/story/job-open…

What to make of the U.S. economy? Retail sales are weaker and inflation perks up, but layoffs still extremely low and the jobs market is strong. Well, if Americans are working and don't fear for their jobs, they will keep spending and keep the economy going.

The January inflation readings were hotter than expected, but they don't square with other data showing a relaxation in price pressures. February will give us a better idea if the pop in inflation in the CPI, PCE and PPI reports are real or temporary.
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Consumer spending was bound to slow in January - people spent a lot during the holidays. No reason to expect sales to remain slow. Wages are rising, unemployment is low and the Fed is likely to cut interest rates later this year. marketwatch.com/livecoverage/p… via @marketwatch

Inflation (PCE) ran hotter in January after a string of tepid readings, but it's hard to see prices accelerating again. When will inflation slow enough for the Fed to cut interest rates? No earlier than June it seems ... marketwatch.com/livecoverage/p… via @marketwatch

A look in the rearview mirror shows the U.S. economy entered 2024 with a good dose of momentum. Q4 GDP knocked down a peg to 3.2%, but the details were actually stronger. In short, there's few signs growth is slowing. Delayed Fed rate cuts? marketwatch.com/story/u-s-econ…

You can shelve any idea of interest-rate cuts for now. The Fed brass is in lockstep on keeping rates high thru the spring until it's clear inflation has been beaten. marketwatch.com/story/fed-plan…

Still no sign the U.S. economy is flagging. Jobless claims fall to 5-week low of 201,000, showing labor-market muscle. Layoffs stay near historic lows. marketwatch.com/story/jobless-…

The first good look at the U.S. economy in February shows growth is still pretty solid. inflation eased, too. Businesses have cut back on hiring, however, a pair of S&P surveys found.

The January inflation data (CPI and PPI) was not very good, but I never get swayed by just one month of data. Fed has more work to do. Economy still vulnerable. But inflation still looks like it will keep slowing, if not as fast as Wall Street hoped. marketwatch.com/story/producer…

Consumer sentiment rises to 31-month high. Growing, economy, cheaper gas, rising stocks, low unemployment and slowing inflation do the trick. Confidence still not back to prepandemic highs, though. marketwatch.com/story/consumer…

Look beyond the headline decline in U.S. retail sales and what stands out: Americans are going out to eat more. Why does it matter? People go out to eat more when they feel good about their financial health and job security. marketwatch.com/livecoverage/s… via @marketwatch

Sales at retailers fell 0.8% in January to mark the biggest drop in 10 months. Americans took a timeout after a flush of spending during the holiday season. Probably nothing to worry about ... marketwatch.com/livecoverage/s… via @marketwatch

No inflation help here: Import prices show biggest increase in almost two years. Shipping disruptions in the Red Sea from the Houthis appear to push prices higher. marketwatch.com/story/import-p…

Recessions are hard to predict, but it's impossible to have one (imo) if layoffs and unemployment stay low. People with jobs spend, and spending drives the U.S. economy. Jobless claims fall to one-month low of 212,000. No sign of accelerating layoffs. marketwatch.com/story/jobless-…

Part of the inflation in the January CPI that caught Wall Street by surprise and ignited a stock selloff was tied to shelter: Rent, hotel rates, home prices. Yet it's hard to believe these price hikes will stick and keep inflation high. marketwatch.com/livecoverage/j… via @marketwatch

The biggest worry about inflation among Fed officials is labor costs. If they slow to prepandemic norms, inflation will, too. Alas, the so-called supercore rate of inflation posted the biggest increase in January in almost two years. marketwatch.com/livecoverage/j… via @marketwatch