Very tentative (non-clinical test) indications are that vaccination helps reduce incidence and severity of infections from the omicron variant. If this proves true, then we should expect vaccination rates to be critical to impact. Here’s the map, county-by-county.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Interpreting the Employment Release – November 2021
A couple of plots to highlight the fact that the November number on nonfarm payroll employment should be understood in the context of ongoing revisions in the data (see release here).
Business Cycle Indicators as of December 1st
Monthly GDP grows 1.5% m/m, pushed by exports. Along with current expectations for this Friday’s employment release, we have the following picture.
Financial Markets and Omicron and Powell
Five year inflation breakeven (unadjusted) down, 10yr-3mo term spread down, VIX and EPU up, and S&P 500 down.
Forward Guidance Effectiveness, Now vs. Then
I’m teaching unconventional monetary policy in Financial Systems course. Here’s some interesting graphs (not altogether new), relating to forward guidance effectiveness.
Two Pictures from the Financial Markets
Usually, the Friday after Thanksgiving holiday is a quiet trading day. Today, there was lots of news to react to.
One Year Inflation Expectations
Expectations and forecasts from economists continue to diverge from consumer based expectations.
Now That’s Hyperinflation
Over the next week, you’re going to hear a lot about how high prices are, how much more a turkey dinner cost than a year ago. But when you hear somebody, say the word “hyperinflation”, remember this picture:
Wisconsin Labor Force & Employment after Enhanced Benefits Termination
As of September 4th, enhanced unemployment benefits were ended in Wisconsin. What do the latest data reveal?
Supply Chain Delays – Supply or Demand
As has been noted, the surge in goods demand is part of the story for why shortages and price pressures have mounted. Here’s another illustration.