Fact of the Week

by Raymond J. Keating- The Federal Reserve’s report on industrial production in August showed continuing strength, while July’s growth also was revised upward. Specifically, in terms of industry groups in August, overall industrial production – i.e., the output of the nation’s industrial sectors, i.e., manufacturing, mining and utilities – grew by 0.4 percent in August, […]

Small Business Insider by Raymond J. Keating- The United States economy differs across the 50 states. The latest state employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides another reminder of this reality. For example, as noted by the BLS: “Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 6 states in July 2018, decreased in 1 state, […]

  by Raymond J. Keating- The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest durable goods report has two stories to tell. First, it’s important to keep in mind that durable goods orders serve as a kind of leading indicator on the economy, specifically, gauging both business and household confidence when it comes to making investments. It also offers […]

Small Business Insider   by Raymond J. Keating- On August 15, the Federal Reserve served up its latest measure of industrial production, i.e., the output of the nation’s industrial sectors, i.e., manufacturing, mining and utilities. Specifically, industrial production edged up by 0.1 percent in July. Over the previous five months, however, growth averaged 0.5 percent. […]

Small Business Insider   by Raymond J. Keating- First quarter real GDP growth in the U.S. was lackluster, with growth registering a meager 2.0 percent. However, that, of course, does not mean that growth was the same across the nation. Indeed, as we see in the state GDP report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic […]

by Raymond J. Keating- Texas is a big state that welcomes entrepreneurs and small businesses. Small Business Policy Index 2018: Texas ranked second best – number 2 – among the 50 states. SBE Council’s “Small Business Policy Index 2018” ranks the 50 states according to 55 different policy measures, including a wide array of tax, […]

Small Business Insider   by Raymond J. Keating- Inflation, as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index, has notably calmed in recent months. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI inflation registered 0.1 percent in June. That came after 0.2 percent in both April and May, -0.1 percent in March, and […]

Small Business Insider by Raymond J. Keating- Nothing in this world is perfect, especially when it comes to government. But we Americans came up with the best form of government known to man, with ideas, principles and specifics laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. When a president is given the […]

Small Business Insider  by Raymond J. Keating- According to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income in May showed solid growth. The 0.4 percent rise in May was up from 0.3 percent in March and 0.2 percent in April. Meanwhile, the personal consumption expenditures price index, a limited inflation measure, […]

by Raymond J. Keating- In its Federal Open Market Committee statement released on June 13, beyond the quarter-point increase in the federal funds rate to a targeted range of 1.75 percent to 2 percent, the Fed was quite upbeat in its assessment on the state of the U.S. economy. For example, the statement opened: “Information […]