The Independent Market Observer

Monday Update: Retail Sales and Consumer Sentiment Improve

April 18, 2022

Last week saw the release of a number of important economic updates. March’s inflation reports drew much of the attention, along with news on retail sales and consumer sentiment. The reports showed consumer and producer inflation picking up in March, in part due to rising energy costs. Nonetheless, retail sales growth remained solid during the month, and consumer sentiment improved to start April. This week will be busy once again, with a focus on the housing market update.

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Monday Update: Service Sector Confidence on the Upswing

April 11, 2022

Several important economic updates were released last week, with the ISM Service sector confidence report serving as a highlight. The report showed that service sector confidence rebounded in March following Omicron-related declines to start the year. This will be a busy week of updates, with a focus on March’s inflation reports as well as a look at retail sales, consumer confidence, and industrial production.

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Monday Update: Strong Job Growth in March

April 4, 2022

There were several important economic updates last week, with the March employment report serving as a highlight. The report showed that hiring continued at a strong pace during the month, driving the unemployment rate to a new pandemic-era low. This will be another busy week of updates, with three major reports scheduled.

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Monday Update: Is Business Spending Starting to Slow?

March 28, 2022

February’s preliminary durable goods orders report was the only major economic data release last week. The report showed that durable goods orders fell by more than expected during the month, which could be a sign that business spending is starting to slow. This will be a busier week, with scheduled reports providing updates on consumer and manufacturer confidence, personal income, personal spending, and the March jobs report.

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Monday Update: Retail Sales Growth Slows in February

March 21, 2022

Last week was jam-packed with economic updates and reports that covered a variety of sectors. The February retail sales report was one of the more widely monitored updates, as it showed that consumer spending continued to grow during the month. But the pace of sales growth slowed compared to the start of the year. This will be a relatively quiet week, with only one major update scheduled.

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Monday Update: Consumer Inflation on the Rise

March 14, 2022

Several important economic updates were released last week, with a focus on international trade, consumer inflation, and consumer sentiment. The February consumer inflation report drew the most market attention, as it showed that inflationary pressure continued to rise. This will be a very busy week of updates with scheduled reports that will cover producer inflation, retail sales, the housing market, industrial production, and the March Fed meeting.

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Monday Update: Hiring Accelerates in February

March 7, 2022

Several important economic updates were released last week, with a focus on February’s business confidence and job reports. The job report showed that more jobs were added than expected during the month, which drove the unemployment rate to a new pandemic-era low. This will be another busy week of updates relating to international trade, consumer inflation, and consumer sentiment.

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Monday Update: Personal Spending Beats Expectations

February 28, 2022

Last week’s important economic updates centered around consumer confidence, personal income and spending, and durable goods orders reports. Personal spending growth increased more than expected in January, echoing a similar, better-than-expected rebound in retail sales growth during the month. This will be another busy week of updates, with a focus on business confidence and the February employment report.

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Monday Update: Omicron Economic Impact Less Than Feared

February 22, 2022

Last week was full of important economic updates, many of which showed that the economic impact from the Omicron variant was relatively muted compared to earlier waves of the pandemic. The January retail sales report was a highlight, as sales growth experienced its best month since last March. This will be a quieter week for reports, with only three major releases scheduled that will provide updates on consumer confidence, personal income and spending, and durable goods orders.

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Monday Update: Consumer Inflation Accelerates in January

February 14, 2022

There were a number of important economic data releases last week, with a focus on international trade, consumer prices, and consumer sentiment. The reports showed that continued high levels of inflationary pressure weighed on consumer sentiment to start February. This will be a very busy week of updates, with reports scheduled to cover producer inflation, retail sales, industrial production, new home construction, and the minutes from the most recent Fed meeting.

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