The Independent Market Observer

Monday Update: Consumer Confidence Surges in March

March 15, 2021

Last week saw a number of important economic data releases, with a focus on February’s inflation reports and a first look at consumer confidence in March. Consumer confidence increased by more than expected to start the month, bringing the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index to a one-year high. This week will be packed with updates once again. Highlights will include February’s retail sales and industrial production news and reports on home builder confidence and new home construction.

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Monday Update (on Tuesday): Economy Adds More Jobs Than Expected

March 9, 2021

Last week saw a number of important economic data releases, with the better-than-expected February employment report serving as a highlight. This will be another busy week for updates, with a focus on consumer and producer inflation, as well as a first look at consumer sentiment in March.

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Monday Update: Economic Recovery Picks Up Steam

March 1, 2021

Last week saw the release of a number of important economic updates, with most pointing toward faster growth to start the new year. Highlights included better-than-expected consumer confidence reports, a strong durable goods orders report, and a return to personal spending growth in January. This will be another busy week for updates, with a focus on business confidence and the February employment report.

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Monday Update: Retail Sales Surge as Economic Recovery Accelerates

February 22, 2021

Last week saw a number of important data releases, with the much-better-than-expected January retail sales report and strong industrial production report serving as highlights. This will be another busy week for updates, with a focus on consumer confidence, durable goods orders, and the January personal income and spending reports.

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Monday Update (on Tuesday): Consumer Inflation Remains Muted

February 16, 2021

Last week was relatively quiet in terms of economic updates, with only three major data releases. The January Consumer Price Index showed that headline and core consumer inflation remained well constrained to start the year. This week will be busier, as a number of important economic updates are scheduled for release. The January retail sales report will be widely followed, as it is expected to show a return to retail sales growth.

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Monday Update: Business Confidence Remains Strong

February 8, 2021

Last week was packed with updates, with a focus on January’s business confidence and employment reports. Confidence held up well to start the year, and we saw an encouraging return to job growth in January. This week will be relatively quiet, with only a few major reports set to be released. The highlights will be the January consumer inflation report and the first look consumer sentiment in February.

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Monday Update: Economic Recovery Continued in Fourth Quarter

February 1, 2021

Last week saw a number of important economic updates, with the first look at fourth-quarter GDP growth serving as a highlight. The economy grew at an annualized rate of 4 percent during the quarter, which represents a continued economic recovery to end 2020. This week will also be packed with updates, with a focus on January’s business confidence and employment reports.

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Monday Update: Housing Sector Continues to Shine

January 25, 2021

Last week was a busy time for economic updates, with a focus on the housing sector. The reports for this important sector of the economy largely pointed toward continued healthy levels of growth to end the year. This week will also be packed with updates, with the first look at fourth-quarter GDP growth and December’s personal spending and income reports serving as potential highlights.

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Monday Update (on Tuesday): Pandemic Slows Economic Recovery

January 19, 2021

Last week was packed with economic updates, with the reports showing mixed results. Disappointing initial unemployment claims and retail sales reports contrasted with a better-than-expected industrial production release. This week will be another busy one for updates, with a focus on housing data and the weekly initial jobless claims report.

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Monday Update: Business Confidence Rises Unexpectedly

January 11, 2021

Last week saw a number of important economic data releases, with December’s business confidence and employment reports garnering the most attention. Business confidence unexpectedly improved during the month, although the economy suffered from a net loss of jobs for the first time since April. This week will be packed with updates, with a focus on December’s inflation and retail sales reports, as well as the first look at consumer confidence in January.

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