The U.S. trade gap rose to a six-year high in November. This was driven by an increase in imports as American consumers increased their purchases of household items, luxury goods, and other products. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the trade deficit increased by 3.2% from the previous month to $50.5 billion. Both imports and Read More…
Fourth Time’s a Charm
Angela Merkel took a big step toward securing a fourth term as Germany’s chancellor after her party, the conservatives, and its center-left rivals agreed recently on the terms of a renewed governing alliance. After a week of talks covering areas such as taxation and immigration, Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats (SPD), said Read More…
U.S. Consumer Prices On the Rise
A rise in consumer prices in December and growth in retail sales exceeded expectations. With 2017 ending on a good note, and inflation numbers steady, U.S. economic growth continues. Forecasts for Q4 growth were adjusted 0.4% in December from the prior month. Analysts are expecting a 2.7% annual growth rate for gross domestic product in the Read More…
Creating A Comfortable Work Experience
Businesses are now designing office spaces that increase the amount of square footage per employee when shared work settings are taken into account. Many companies are expanding the selection of alternative places to get work done such as coffee rooms, cafes, and kitchen areas. Firms are also taking into consideration informal living room spaces, reading Read More…
The Tax Bill
Last week Congress passed a $1.5 trillion tax cut and the largest structural overhaul of the tax system since 1986. The Senate passed the tax-overhaul bill, 51-48 Wednesday 20th after it swiftly passed through the House on a 227-203 vote on Tuesday 19th. The measure then headed to President Donald Trump for his signature on Read More…
Tax System Overhaul, GOP Passes Tax Reform
The House of Representatives passed a bill that will result in the largest overhaul of the U.S. tax system in 31 years, a plan that would reduce the corporate tax rate to its lowest point since 1939 and cut individual taxes for most households by 2018. In addition, the bill will increase the child tax credit , repeal Read More…
Volatility in the Junk Bond Markets
Volatility within the junk bond markets has caused US energy giant, NRG Energy, to end a debt sale. In a statement, NRG Energy stated that “borader market conditions” were the reasons for a pulled $870m bond sale late on Thursday and blamed “broader market conditions” for its decision, after the market had lurched lower over Read More…
Americans’ Positive Outlook Toward Selling
For the first time in a long time, Americans are feeling better about selling a home than buying one. On Friday, consumer sentiment data showed the index for consumers who said it’s a good time to sell a house is now above those who said it’s a good time to buy a home. The index of American consumers Read More…
New Federal Reserve Chief and What it Means
As Janet Yellen’s term comes to an end, President Trump chooses Jerome Powell as the new Federal Reserve chief. The new chief could mean little change in monetary policy and a less aggressive approach to financial regulation. Economists are currently expecting the Fed to raise short-term interest rates next month and lift them three times Read More…
Q3 Productivity Growth
U.S. workers increased output per hour in the third quarter at the best rate in three years, representing that slow productivity gains might finally be breaking out. According to the Labor Department, nonfarm business-sector productivity increased 3.0% in the third quarter. “The third quarter of 2017 is a big turnaround from the results we have Read More…