Business Trends

by RAYMOND J. KEATING- The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index basically held steady in May. The index now came in at 117.2 (1985=100) in May, which was down ever so slightly from April’s  117.5. The Conference Board’s measure is actually a composite of two indices. The Present Situation Index offers consumer views on the current […]

by Raymond J. Keating- The nonfarm payroll employment numbers for the states were disappointing for April. According to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment increased in nine states, declined in two, and “was essentially unchanged in 39 states.” The two states that experienced a statistically significant decline in nonfarm payrolls […]

In recent times, the heated political rhetoric of immigration often overwhelms or drowns out sound economics on immigration. Unfortunately, despite the U.S. truly being a nation of immigrants, this is not a unique situation in our history. Nonetheless, there are opportunities to consider some straightforward and instructive data on immigration, and that includes the “Foreign-Born […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING- Housing starts fell more than expected in April, according to the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Privately‐owned housing starts came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,569,000 in April, which was down by 9.5 percent compared to the revised March estimate of 1,733,000. However, it must be […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING- Amidst the economic mess brought on by COVID-19, one measure in particular has been a beacon of hope. Specifically, signs of increased entrepreneurship. The latest U.S. Census Bureau report on business formation statistics showed an 8.9 percent jump in “business applications for tax IDs as indicated by applications for an Employer […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – A pattern is emerging, and it is not surprising. Government aid checks go out the door to households. Retail sales jump temporarily, and then sales growth disappears rather quickly. That’s what happened in January and February of this year, for example, and now it has occurred again in March and […]

By KAREN KERRIGAN- At the midway point of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS’s) fiscal year, a major take-away is the continued story of financial losses and soaring costs. These recent results, combined with $188 billion in unfunded liabilities, have prompted the USPS to develop a new 10-year business plan, “Delivering for America.” While well intentioned, […]

  by RAYMOND J. KEATING – One of the deeply troubling aspects of inflation is that once ignited, it is not something that is easy to get back under control. As the old saying goes, once the inflation genie is let out of the bottle, it’s not easy to get back in. That’s one reason […]

  by RAYMOND J. KEATING- In both the manufacturing and service sectors, the latest reports capturing purchasing managers’ activities and views point to strong growth continuing in April. Indeed, looking ahead, as the pandemic retreats, the expansion of government emerges as the biggest threat to our economy. The Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing PMI registered […]

  by RAYMOND J. KEATING- Americans are a resilient bunch – including U.S. entrepreneurs, small businesses and their employees, and investors – as illustrated by the fact that real GDP growth in the first quarter of this year accelerated compared to the previous quarter’s growth rate, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. […]