Economic Review 21 September 2026
Last week’s news was highlighted by the U.S. Federal Reserve hiking interest rates a bit, for the first time in three years. Other data included positive results for retail sales and jobless claims, flattish industrial production, and declines in housing starts.
Stocks were mixed, but mostly down for the week, with higher yields and energy prices weighing on sentiment. Bonds were also mixed, as several central banks hiked short-term rates. Commodities saw gains in metals, while energy prices were stable.
Fed Note 16 September 2026
At the September meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve Open Market Committee voted to raise the Fed funds rate by 0.25% to 3.75-4.00%, the first hike in three years. There were no dissents.
Costly Medicine by Claudia Sahm 14 September
The Fed is likely to raise rates on Wednesday. Here’s what a hike can do, what it can’t, and why the explanation matters as much as the decision.
Economic Review 14 September 2026
On a shortened Labor Day week, economic data included continued rises in both consumer and producer price inflation, driven by August’s spikes in fuel prices. Existing home sales declined, as did consumer sentiment.
Equities fell across the board globally last week, due to geopolitical tensions, resulting inflation, and higher yields. Bonds pulled back to the same spike in interest rates. Commodities were mixed, with another sharp rise in oil prices, and weakness elsewhere.
Economic Review 8 September 2026
Economic data included the employment situation report showing stronger payroll growth than expected, as well as gains in job openings and ISM services, which offset a decline in ISM manufacturing.
Equities were flattish on the week in the U.S., coupled with mixed results in foreign markets. Bonds were down for the most part, as yields rose for a variety of reasons. Commodities gained, along with another spike in the price of crude oil.
Economic Review 31 August 2026
Economic data included U.S. GDP seeing minimal revision, but still a slower pace than Q1, gains in personal income and spending, as well as durable goods. On the other hand, new home sales continued to come in weak, while several home price indexes showed minor gains, now below the pace of inflation. Consumer sentiment also remained negative, due to inflation concerns.
Equities were mixed, with gains in the U.S. and tech-related emerging markets, and flattish elsewhere. Bonds were also flattish as interest rates calmed. Commodities were mixed, with gains in grains, and declines in the prices of energy and precious metals.
Economic Review 24 August 2026
Economic data included mixed results for PMI data, with manufacturing down and services up, gains in industrial production, and a decline in housing starts.
Equities lost ground globally last week, with the continued Middle East conflict and some volatility in government interest rates. As yields rose, bonds were mixed, with foreign bonds helped by a weaker dollar. Commodities saw gains, including another rise in energy, along with the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions.
Economic Review 17 August 2026
Equities were positive globally, as some easing in inflation was pared with decent earnings and economic results. Bonds were little-changed for the week domestically, while a stronger dollar held back unhedged foreign bonds. Commodities gained, based on higher energy and agricultural prices.
Economic Review 10 August 2026
Economic data included increases in ISM manufacturing and services indexes. The monthly employment situation report disappointed, with far slower growth than expected, although the unemployment rate also declined.
Equities rose globally last week, helped by decent economic data and better news from the Middle East. Bonds gained as yields fell back globally. Commodities were mixed, with gains in precious metals offset by a decline in energy.
Economic Review 3 August 2026
Economic data for the week included the U.S. Federal Reserve keeping interest rates on hold, U.S. GDP for Q2 growing at a pace slightly below trend, as well as moderate gains in personal income and spending, durable goods orders, and home prices. Consumer sentiment remained mixed.
Equities saw gains globally, with decent earnings and lack of Middle East escalation. Bonds were mixed, as yields rose. Commodities fell along with oil prices, coupled with a fading in Middle East tensions early in the week.