Alarming economic indicators signal potential stagflation as U.S. retail sales experience a significant decline, posting -0.8% month-on-month against an expected -0.2%. Core retail sales follow suit with a -0.6% month-on-month drop, contrary to the expected +0.2%. Jobless claims rise by 212,000, slightly below the estimated 219,000, indicating a potential labor market strain.
Adding to the economic woes, the Philadelphia Fed Business Index shows a modest improvement at +5.2, compared to the anticipated -8.0. However, the New York Fed Business Index disappoints with a reading of -2.4, falling short of the expected -13.7. The New York Fed reports a notable slowdown in manufacturing decline for February, though concerns loom over stagflationary pressures as price increases accelerate.
With sales stagnation or decline, inflation on the rise, and signs of decreasing full-time jobs coupled with an increase in lower-end part-time positions, economic observers ponder the emergence of stagflation. As market indicators send mixed signals, the potential for stagflation raises questions about the resilience of the U.S. economy and the need for strategic economic measures to navigate challenging times.
Sources:
⚠️BREAKING:
*U.S RETAIL SALES -0.8% M/M, EXP. -0.2%
*U.S. RETAIL SALES CORE -0.6% M/M, EXP. +0.2%*U.S JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE 212,000; EST. 219,000
*U.S. PHILLY FED BUSINESS INDEX +5.2, EXP. -8.0
*U.S. NY FED BUSINESS INDEX -2.4, EXP. -13.7$SPY 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0XCbukyy1B— Investing.com (@Investingcom) February 15, 2024
NY Fed: manufacturing slows its decline significantly in Feb, up from the worst reading ever outside of Apr/May '20; price increases accelerated, however, making this another highly stagflationary report; employment was flat but workweek shortened; new orders still negative: pic.twitter.com/yP8862kHCf
— E.J. Antoni, Ph.D. (@RealEJAntoni) February 15, 2024
Pay is increasing, new jobs are increasing, but average working hours are continuing to decline. Something doesn't add up…
Why should companies hire, at higher salaries, when the quantity of work is decreasing?
Full-time jobs are decreasing, while people accept part-time jobs.. pic.twitter.com/0bURfeSTl2— Kyotrix (@KyotrixITALY) February 3, 2024
Gold slammed on US CPI data running hotter than expected, implying interest rates cuts less likely.
But as anyone who lives in the real world knows inflation is soaring, and the Ponzi Dollar is losing purchasing power daily. #Gold is slammed on US good news, gold is slammed on… pic.twitter.com/WP02NKnlZE
— Silver Gold News (@SilverGold_News) February 13, 2024
Views: 176