Economic Updates
Keep up to date on the global economy and its impact on markets.
Facing facts of a creeping contraction
Q4 2019 | Capital Markets Outlook
As late-cycle signals grow louder, it's time for tactical caution across asset classes.
Q4 2019 | Fixed Income Outlook
Global growth has cooled in 2019 as trade conflicts have taken a toll on international manufacturing, investments, and financial markets.
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Q1 2020 | Equity Outlook
What's in store for equities? We consider a number of factors that could drive stocks higher.
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Economic Update for January 13, 2020
Economy
- The trade deficit narrowed in November, according to the Census Bureau.
- Factory orders decreased 0.7% in November, the Census Bureau reported.
- Durable goods orders fell 2.1% in November, the Census Bureau stated.
Employment
- Initial jobless claims fell by 9,000 to 214,000 in the week ended January 4, 2020, according to the Labor Department.
- The United States added 145,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Profits
- As of January 7, 2020, fourth-quarter dividends of U.S. stocks increased to $10.6 billion, up from $7.4 billion a year earlier, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Total S&P 500 Index quarterly dividend payments increased 5.5% year over year in the fourth quarter.
Emotion
- Eurozone investor sentiment increased in January, according to the Sentix index of investor morale.