This week, the economic news centered on the US consumer’s spending habits. PCEs increased strongly, which is corroborated by recent retail sales figures. Spending on durable goods was remarkably resilient, which was confirmed by this week’s auto sales numbers. Finally, the employment situation is strong. The 4-week moving average of unemployment claims is low and the employment report (which I cover in the bond market column) is bullish.
Recent News
- Suspected chemical blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas port kills 14, injures hundreds
- Trump says US ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama and Suez canals for free
- Russia stocks higher at close of trade; MOEX Russia Index up 2.10%
- Trump and Zelenskiy meet one-on-one in Vatican basilica to seek Ukraine peace
- TikTok to enter Japan's e-commerce industry, Nikkei reports
- Young Canadians favor Conservatives in election despite Trump threat
- US could restrict Mexican livestock imports over screwworm worry, official says
- UroGen Announces Updated 18-Month Duration of Response (DOR) of 80.6% from the Phase 3 ENVISION Trial of UGN-102, an Investigational Treatment for Recurrent Low-Grade Intermediate-Risk Non-Muscle Inva
- Factbox-Major cases involving Trump before the US Supreme Court
- World Bank chief economist sounds alarm on emerging market debt issues, urges liberalization
- Concord Medical Files Annual Report on Form 20-F for Fiscal 2024
- US agency eases some self-driving safety rules, sending Tesla stock soaring
- US judge skeptical about Trump defense of Education Department layoffs
- NASA administrator was once arrested, accused of passing bad checks to casinos
- Ex-Taliban commander pleads guilty to taking US journalist hostage
- Loeb's Third Point builds stake in Band-Aid maker Kenvue
- Migrants deterred by Trump's border crackdown wait for UN help to return home
- Orbia announces the commencement of cash tender offer and consent solicitation
- Germany's Merck says in late-stage discussions to buy SpringWorks for $3.5 million
- Missile that killed 12 in Russian strike on Kyiv was North Korean, Zelenskiy says
- Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Provides Release Date for its 2025 First Quarter Results and Details of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
- Calian appoints Eric Demirian to its board
- Golden Dome missile defense gets $27 billion boost in GOP's defense package – Reuters
- Trump signs executive order boosting deep-sea mining industry
- T-Mobile wireless subscriber growth misses estimates as competition heats up
- BOJ will keep raising rates if inflation converge toward 2%, governor Ueda says
- Fed Kashkari cites trade policy uncertainty as a risk to jobs
- Gilead posts profit, says HIV prevention drug on track for mid-June
- Complaints about ransomware attacks on US infrastructure rise 9%, FBI says
- Bessent says China tariffs are not sustainable as US signals willingness to de-escalate
- Explainer-What happens to Apple and Meta after the EU fine?
- US brings first terrorism charges against alleged Venezuelan gang member
- Cantor teams up with Tether, Softbank for $3.6 billion crypto venture
- Bahrain's fiscal outlook downgraded to negative by S&P Global Ratings
- Lottomatica's rating raised to Ba2 by Moody's with stable outlook
- Martin Marietta Materials outlook shifts to stable, Moody's affirms Baa2 rating
- US cancels hundreds of grants for police, crime victims, Justice Dept documents show
- Stocks, dollar climb, gold sinks as US says China tariffs not sustainable
- Judges extend Venezuela deportation blocks, question Trump's use of wartime law
- Ethereum Climbs 10% In Bullish Trade
- Yale University explores sale of private equity fund interests
- US FAA takes action to prevent helicopter incidents near Las Vegas airport
- Baker Hughes beats first-quarter profit on strong demand for natural gas technology
- M&T Bank Corporation to Participate in the Barclays Americas Select Franchise Conference
- Oil prices settle up nearly 2% on new Iran sanctions, equities rally
- Tesla salvages first-quarter profit margins as car sales skid
- HII Hosts HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Leaders at Ingalls Shipbuilding
- ExxonMobil to Release First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
- Baker Tilly and Moss Adams to merge, forming sixth-largest US advisory CPA firm
- Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies after stroke and cardiac arrest