Tag Archives: consumer spending

What’s the Fed To Do?

Popular Economics “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026 (April, May, and June), according to the second estimate released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). … Continue reading

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Jobs Picture Improves?

Financial FAQs “Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in food services and drinking places and in local government … Continue reading

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Not A Merry Christmas?

Financial FAQs “Personal income increased $115.1 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in July, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $125.9 billion (0.5 … Continue reading

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Why So Much Pessimism?

Financial FAQs “The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® decreased by 0.8 points to 89.4 (1985=100) in August, down from 90.2 in July. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—fell by 5.8 points to … Continue reading

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Poor Retail Sales

Popular Economics “Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July 2026, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $763.6 billion, down 0.6 percent (±0.4 percent) from the previous month, … Continue reading

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Inflation is Back

Financial FAQs “The Producer Price Index for final demand was unchanged in July, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand increased 4.7 percent for the 12 months ended … Continue reading

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“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Roosevelt

Popular Economics FREDpayrolljobs The job market is shrinking, to no one’s surprise. But July’s catastrophic unemployment report tells us the loss of -23,000 payroll was particularly horrific. Yet +214,000 jobs were created in March, and the economy was perhaps on … Continue reading

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Why Our Record Inequality?

Financial FAQs “Why are we the only developed country without universal health care, tuition free public college, mandated paid vacations and paid child leave, among other benefits, all major indicators of social well-being? We should not need a Michael Moore … Continue reading

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Where’s the Inflation?

Financial FAQs “Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty that owes, in part, to the conflict in the Middle East…Inflation remains elevated relative to the Committee’s 2 percent goal, in part reflecting supply shocks that have … Continue reading

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Defeating the Greater Lawlessness

Popular Economics Weekly “The Republicans’ hunger for power has now reached such a point that they have selected and continue to support a president who has lied and cheated his whole adult life; from Trump Casinos to Trump Towers, from … Continue reading

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