Q1 GDP growth is expected to be negative, per the Atlanta Fed “GDPNow.” Spending data is still generally positive through January, however, consumer confidence eroded sharply in February. In recent weeks, numerous economic indicators have shown decelerating spending and declining consumer confidence, with the GDPNow readout at negative 2.4 percent. As of 6 March, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model is projecting Q1-25 US GDP to decline by 2.4 percent.
Job growth in February was 151,000 new jobs, with the February unemployment rate nudging up to 4.1 percent from 4.0 percent. Wage rates were up 4.7 percent versus a year ago and continued to moderate. The February CPI was up 3 percent versus a year ago, with the PPI up 2.9 percen...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...