Global RPI at minus 20; US turns lower, China stays lower
The US has pulled down the Relative Performance Index (RPI) to minus 20 for global data overall and to minus 17 less prices (RPI-P). The downturn in the US RPI, which is now in sizable [...]
March 2024
February 2024
US inflation grinds slowly toward two percent goal
With the release of the January PCE deflator data, the overall inflation picture at the start of 2024 is one in which further progress on bringing inflation back to the Fed’s two percent flexible average [...]
High points for US economic data scheduled for February 26 week
Although there is a lot of data on the calendar for the February 26 week, those with market moving potential are few. Much of the data will complete a picture already forming. Although the week [...]
Global RPI at 1 but rate cut hopes still dented
The global economy is performing much as expected. However, a Relative Performance Index of 1 masks a significant divergence between the major regions which, in the main, has left financial markets more cautious about the [...]
High points for US economic data scheduled for February 19 week
Monday, February 19 is a federal holiday in the US but will have minimal impact on routine release schedules.Most of the economic data will take a backseat to the release of the minutes of the [...]
Global data near forecasts at minus 7 on the RPI; Switzerland, Japan lag
Global economic data on net are coming in within consensus forecasts and near the breakeven zero-line for the Relative Performance Index (RPI), at minus 7 overall and minus 8 when excluding prices (RPI-P) to indicate [...]
Outlook for consumer spending in the first quarter 2024
January’s data on retail and food services spending proved disappointing, much of it due to a decline in unit motor vehicle sales and a dip in prices for gasoline. However, the softness was broad-based and [...]
High points for US economic data scheduled for February 11 week
Data in the February 11 week will provide a look at some economic conditions in the first month or so of 2024. The two standouts are likely to be the January CPI data at 8:30 [...]
Global data near forecasts at minus 9 on the RPI; Japan and China lag
Global economic data on net are coming in within consensus forecasts and near the breakeven line for the Relative Performance Index (RPI), at minus 9 overall and minus 10 when excluding prices (RPI-P) to indicate [...]
CPI annual revisions hold no surprises
Annual revisions to 2023’s CPI data issued on February 9 hold no surprises, unlike the upward revision in 2022. The all-items CPI had some minor revisions for the October-December period, while the core CPI – [...]