Banking, Economy

“Powell Facing Choice Between Elevated US Inflation and Recession”

“Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is facing an increasingly grim calculus after yet another hot inflation reading last week: He probably has to push the economy into recession in order to regain control of prices… An increasing number of economists… Continue Reading…

Economy

“US Trade Deficit Narrows Most on Record on Muted China Imports”

“The gap in goods and services trade narrowed $20.6 billion, or 19.1%, to $87.1 billion, Commerce Department data showed Tuesday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for an $89.5 billion deficit. The figures aren’t adjusted for… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Economic Pessimism Growing in U.S.”

“Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index measured -45 in May, down from -39 in each of the previous two months. It is the lowest reading in Gallup’s trend during the coronavirus pandemic, and likely the lowest confidence has been since the tail… Continue Reading…

Economy, Energy

“California’s gas average tops $6 per gallon as prices across the U.S. surge”

“California’s state average for a gallon of gas has surged above $6, making fuel in the Golden State the most expensive across the U.S. The average price at the pump in California hit a record $6.021 per gallon on Tuesday,… Continue Reading…

Banking

“Biggest Treasury Buyer Outside U.S. Quietly Selling Billions”

“…Japanese institutional managers — known for their legendary U.S. debt buying sprees in recent decades — are now fueling the great bond selloff just as the Federal Reserve pares its $9 trillion balance sheet. The latest data from BMO Capital… Continue Reading…

Stocks

“U.S. GDP fell at a 1.4% pace to start the year as pandemic recovery takes a hit”

“Gross domestic product unexpectedly declined at a 1.4% annualized pace in the first quarter, marking an abrupt reversal for an economy coming off its best performance since 1984, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The negative growth rate missed even the… Continue Reading…

Cryptocurrencies, Economy

“Sanctions threaten to cripple Russia’s multibillion-dollar crypto industry”

“This week, U.S. officials targeted Russian bitcoin mining firm BitRiver in its latest round of sanctions aimed at hurting Russia’s economy. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says it is concerned Russia may monetize its vast oil reserves and other natural resources for power-intensive… Continue Reading…

Economy

“…Federal Tax Collections Set Record Through March”

“The federal government collected a record $2,121,987,000,000 in total taxes through the first six months of fiscal 2022 (October through March), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement. This also marked the first time that federal tax collections have exceeded $2 trillion… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Are we witnessing the beginning of de-dollarization?”

“…However, the long-term challenge for the U.S. will be to keep the crown on the U.S. dollar’s head as the leading global reserve/fiat currency. The unilateral sanctions of the West against Russia had the unintended consequence of raising inflation levels in Europe, East… Continue Reading…

Economy

“A “recession shock” is coming, BofA warns”

“The macro-economic picture is deteriorating fast and could push the U.S. economy into recession as the Federal Reserve tightens its monetary policy to tame surging inflation, BofA strategists warned in a weekly research note. “‘Inflation shock’ worsening, ‘rates shock’ just… Continue Reading…