Today, we celebrate the birthday of an independent nation that continues to stand as one of the most extraordinary social experiments in human history. At 250 years, the United States remains a living testament to an idea that was bold in its origin and still evolving in its meaning: that freedom, responsibility, and self-government can…
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This week’s inflation data sends a clear and sobering message: inflation is proving more persistent than many policymakers and investors anticipated. In May 2026, the Producer Price Index (PPI) climbed 6.5% year-over-year, with Core PPI (excluding food and energy) rising 5.2%. Even PPI excluding trade services remained elevated, underscoring inflationary pressures spreading through supply chains…
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This morning’s U.S. jobs report delivered another upside surprise, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 172,000 in May and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.3%. Average hourly earnings climbed 3.4% year-over-year, with wage growth of 0.3% just for the month. At first glance, these figures paint a picture of a labor market that’s still healthy…
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April’s Producer Price Index (PPI) delivered a major shock, with headline PPI rising 6.0% year-over-year and 1.4% month-over-month. Core PPI also surged, up 5.2% YoY and 1.0% MoM, marking the hottest producer inflation since the post-pandemic surge and far exceeding expectations. The spike wasn’t just about energy. Cost pressures were broad, with energy and fuel,…
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April’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report surprised to the upside, with headline inflation rising 0.6% month-over-month and 3.8% year-over-year, up from 3.3% in March. Core CPI (which excludes food and energy) increased 0.4% on the month and 2.8% over the year. These gains represent the fastest inflationary pace since 2023 and have thrown cold water…
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Today’s U.S. labor market numbers offer a snapshot that’s both reassuring and unsettling. Initial jobless claims remain exceptionally low at 200,000, and overall payrolls continue to grow, clear signs that companies aren’t rushing to lay off workers and that there’s no immediate sign of a recession. Yet beneath these stable headlines, the composition of job…
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The latest Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers for March 2026 paint a clear picture: inflation at the producer level isn’t just sticking around, it’s picking up speed, and it’s showing up in more parts of the economy. Headline PPI rose 0.5% month over month, matching February’s increase and following a 0.6% jump in January. Year…
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March CPI just confirmed what many hoped wasn’t true: inflation isn’t over, it’s adapting, and many investors may still be missing the underlying shift. Here’s what the numbers say:The March 2026 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Core CPI rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.6% year-over-year. That’s not a dramatic spike, but it’s a…
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The March jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (April 3, 2026) delivered a headline gain of +178,000 nonfarm payrolls, a sharp turnaround from February’s −133,000 drop. On the surface, this looks like renewed strength. But a closer look at the numbers points to a labor market that’s stabilizing, not accelerating, and where gains…
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It’s tempting to brush off this week’s volatility as nerves, but the numbers tell a deeper story. Equities have been swinging more than 2% in single sessions, repeatedly. Bonds are holding steady, signaling uncertainty. Oil prices are ripping higher, reshaping the inflation narrative in real time. On the surface, February’s retail sales looked decent: up…
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