US Economics Update Surge in productivity growth a key upside risk The acceleration in productivity growth suggests the economy’s supply side is responding to the tightness of labour markets and the tax cuts introduced early last year. With investment growth slowing... 2nd May 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Tougher FHA standards to drag on housing demand The introduction of tougher lending standards for mortgages insured by the FHA will provide another headwind to housing demand this year. While the removal of similar standards in 2016 did not have a... 2nd May 2019 · 1 min read
US Economics Update GDP growth still set to slow Neither the unexpectedly strong 3.2% gain in first-quarter GDP nor the outsized 0.7% m/m increase in real consumption in March changes our view that the US economy will experience a marked slowdown in... 2nd May 2019 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report A drop in refining activity and a further increase in net imports saw a third consecutive weekly build in crude stocks, which are now at the highest since September 2017. An unexpected drawdown in the... 1st May 2019 · 1 min read
US Economics Update What explains the plunge in core inflation? In contrast to the sudden weakness in core inflation a few years ago, the latest plunge in core PCE inflation cannot be explained by idiosyncratic factors. Instead, it reflects a moderation in unit... 1st May 2019 · 1 min read
US Data Response ISM Manufacturing Index (Apr.) The slump in the ISM manufacturing index to a 2½-year low in April illustrates that, after the contraction in manufacturing output in the first quarter, US factory conditions have deteriorated further... 1st May 2019 · 1 min read
Energy Update Why lower US natural gas stocks are here to stay US natural gas stocks have remained stubbornly low in recent years. We think that this reflects a new norm in the natural gas market which is eroding the impact of stock levels on prices. 1st May 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Apr.) A gentle rise in mortgage interest rates over April helped cut mortgage applications for home purchase in the latter part of the month. And with home buying sentiment only receiving a modest boost... 1st May 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller House Prices (Feb.) Easing housing demand helped annual house price growth drop to a 6½-year low in February. We expect that slowdown will continue but, with inventory levels close to record lows and mortgage interest... 30th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Why is rental growth accelerating? The acceleration in rental growth to 3.7% y/y in March, a 12-month high, does not reflect tighter rental markets. Instead, and in contrast to what we had expected, the rise in earnings growth to a 10... 29th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Underlying weakness will keep the Fed cautious There were plenty of positive headlines for the US economy this week, with GDP growth accelerating in the first quarter, durable goods orders surging in March, and the S&P 500 hitting a record high... 26th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Data Response GDP (Q1) The 3.2% annualised gain in first-quarter GDP, which was well above the consensus forecast at 2.0%, would seem to make a mockery of claims that the economy is slowing as the fiscal stimulus fades... 26th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Manufacturing slump weighing on payroll growth Our model suggests that non-farm payroll employment increased by a more modest 165,000 in April, with the survey-based hiring indicators and the recent contraction in temporary help employment both... 25th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Data Response Durable Goods (Mar.) The strong rise in underlying capital goods orders in March, together with stronger retail sales last month, suggests the economy is carrying a bit more momentum into the second quarter. But a drop... 25th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Easing labour shortages will help cut building backlog The sharp fall in lumber prices over the past 10 months has failed to halt the rise in single-family homes which have been authorised, but not started. Labour shortages now appear to be the key... 25th April 2019 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report A surge in net imports and the recovery in domestic production led crude stocks higher last week. However, we expect stocks to start to be drawn down in the coming weeks as the refinery maintenance... 24th April 2019 · 1 min read
