brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 The Leading Economic Indicators (LEI), which are a group of 10 economic data points that, outside of recent years, have been effective at projecting future growth, fell further into contraction, dropping 0.7% in March. The index is heavily weighted in the manufacturing sector, […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 Retail sales rose a substantial 1.4% in March – the largest monthly increase in more than two years – easily surpassing the median forecast (1.2%) and February’s figure (0.2%), which was revised higher. Sales of autos (5.3%) and building materials (3.3%) led category […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a gauge for inflation, came in below expectations for the month of March in spite of tariffs being implemented. Although the latest report does not include the April 2nd tariffs, it does include the initial round of tariffs […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manufacturing Index came in at 49.0, which was below February’s reading of 50.3 and below consensus expectations of 49.5. A reading above 50 represents expansion, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction. Prices paid moved higher while […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 Headline Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Index increased 0.3% month-over-month (MoM) in line with forecasts, and 2.5% year-over-year (YoY) The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge Core PCE (excluding food and energy) rose 0.4% MoM, slightly above expectations (0.3%) and 2.8% YoY – still above the […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 After a paltry (and negatively revised) January figure (-1.2%), retail sales rose 0.2% in February but meaningfully lagged the consensus expectation of a 0.6% increase. Retail sales are up 3.1% in the last year, which outpaced the latest headline inflation reading. The February […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 February’s headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2% month-over-month (MoM) and rose 2.8% year- over-year (YoY). Both MoM and YoY headline data came in below expectations, driven lower by moderating energy and food prices. Core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 The Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM) Manufacturing report for February was released showing a second consecutive month of expansion in the manufacturing sector. However, the index grew less than anticipated, striking concerns about falling demand and higher prices. The ISM Services report […]

brought to you by Philip Blancato, Osaic's Chief Market Strategist ECONOMIC REVIEW1 January’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report came in at +0.3% month-over-month (MoM) and +2.5% year-over-year (YoY), in line with estimates, driven by increases in service costs. Higher prices in housing, utilities and healthcare services contributed to the overall rise, while goods inflation remained […]