Household income and spending are the beating heart of the U.S. economy. On the per capita comparisons used in this analysis, personal income is equivalent to about 85% of GDP, disposable income to 74%, and consumption to 68%. When purchasing power weakens, the consequences run through household budgets, company sales and market earnings expectations. September exposes a … [Read more...] about September Personal Income and Spending: Consumer Resilience Meets a Purchasing-Power Squeeze
US Economy
The Fed’s Rate Hike May Be Priced In—Oil Will Decide What Comes Next
The latest 25-basis-point increase may already be largely reflected in Treasury yields, mortgage rates and business borrowing costs. The real question is whether oil-driven inflation will persist and lead markets to price another rate hike—and whether higher rates can do anything about the source of that inflation. The Rate Hike May Already Be Priced In There is little value … [Read more...] about The Fed’s Rate Hike May Be Priced In—Oil Will Decide What Comes Next
US Personal Income June 2026: Consumption Holds Up as Savings Collapse
Some light and many shadows at the 2026 half-year mark. The June 2026 US personal income report presents a divided household economy. Consumers are still spending, private-sector wages remain positive in real terms and lower current taxes are helping disposable income. However, overall real income growth is weak, income from assets remains under pressure and personal saving … [Read more...] about US Personal Income June 2026: Consumption Holds Up as Savings Collapse
June 2026 Retail Sales After CPI: Real Consumer Spending Improves
Unadjusted US retail-sales data for June 2026, adjusted using CPI All Items, provides an encouraging indication of recovery in real consumer spending. However, the wider six-month trend remains more moderate than the June result alone suggests. Official June 2026 Retail Sales The US Census Bureau estimated seasonally adjusted retail and food-services sales of $768.6 billion … [Read more...] about June 2026 Retail Sales After CPI: Real Consumer Spending Improves
June 2026 Employment Data: Hiring Slows as Real Weekly Earnings Take Center Stage
A preliminary analysis of the latest BLS employment data suggests that the labor market is slowing, but the final economic impact will depend heavily on real average weekly earnings. A Clear Slowdown in Job Creation The pace of hiring is telling a story about both labor demand and labor supply. U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by only 57,000 in June … [Read more...] about June 2026 Employment Data: Hiring Slows as Real Weekly Earnings Take Center Stage
May 2026 Industrial Production Data Support Continued Technology-Sector Growth
Federal Reserve industrial production data for May 2026 show that business equipment, computer hardware, electronic products and semiconductor capacity are expanding substantially faster than the broader industrial economy. The figures strengthen the argument that the technology-sector rally is being supported by real … [Read more...] about May 2026 Industrial Production Data Support Continued Technology-Sector Growth