Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of November 2nd, 2016

Clarksville, TN – Real GDP rose at a 2.9% annual rate in the advance estimate of third quarter growth, a bit on the high side of expectations. However, the economy was not as strong as the headline figure suggests (similarly, growth over the four previous quarters was not as weak as the GDP number implies).

Inventories, which had been slowing over the five previous quarters (subtracting from GDP growth), rose at a faster pace (adding 0.6 percentage point to overall growth). Net exports (a narrower trade deficit) added 0.8 percentage point.

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 19th, 2016

Clarksville, TN – The economic data were generally on the strong side of expectations. Retail sales rose 0.6% in June (median forecast: +0.2%), but figures for April and May were revised down (still a strong quarter).

Industrial production rose 0.6%, but that largely reflected a rebound in auto output (which had fallen in May). Ex-autos, manufacturing output was flat (-0.2% y/y, consistent with a soft patch, not a recession).

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 10th, 2016

Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mostly on the strong side of expectations. Nonfarm payrolls surprised sharply to the upside in June (+287,000), but that followed a very soft payroll figure for May (revised to +11,000).

The disappointing May number is now seen as an anomaly, but then so was the June figure. Large month-to-month swings in payrolls are unusual, but they do happen occasionally.

The three-month average payroll gain was +147,000, slower than in 1Q16 (+196,000) and 2015 (+221,000).

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 6th, 2016

Clarksville, TN – Despite there being no plan for Brexit and expectations of a lengthy and uncertain process of disentanglement from the European Union, stock market fear subsided.

The impact on the U.S. economy of a weaker U.K. is expected to be small, and in some ways may even be positive (lower mortgage rates and greater capital flows to the U.S.). Long-term interest rates remain low.

Bank of England Governor Carney helped things along by suggesting that a rate cut would likely be warranted this summer (the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee will meet on July 14th).

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of July 3rd, 2016

Clarksville, TN – U.S. financial markets spent most of the week pricing in a greater likelihood that the United Kingdom would vote to remain in the European Union.

Oops. The surprise “leave” victory in the U.K. referendum sent markets reeling. Global stock markets fell sharply. The pound plunged (to a 30-year low). Bond yields sank, reflecting a flight to safety.

Still, this wasn’t a Lehman-type event. Market participants were simply caught leaning the wrong way. Prime Minister Cameron resigned, effective October, leaving his predecessor a lengthy negotiation with the EU on exit terms.

[Read more]

Gas Prices Drop for Nine Consecutive Days

Tampa, FL – Gas prices have fallen for nine consecutive days, reaching today’s average of $2.33 per gallon.

Gasoline demand remains on track to set a new all-time high for the 2016 summer driving season, however, crude oil remains relatively less expensive than recent years which is contributing to direct savings at the pump.

Drivers are saving a nickel per gallon on the week, but are paying five cents per gallon more on the month.

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of June 19th, 2016

Clarksville, TN – The Federal Open Market Committee left short-term interest rates unchanged, as expected.

In its policy statement, the FOMC noted that “the pace of improvement in the labor market has slowed while growth in economic activity appears to have picked up.” At the same time, “growth in household spending has strengthened” and “the drag from net exports appears to have lessened.”

The dots in the dot plot drifted a bit lower (that is, expectations of future rate increases become even more gradual).

[Read more]

Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 6th, 2015

Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed, but generally consistent with moderately strong growth. Unit auto sales improved in August. The ISM Manufacturing Index slowed. The Non-Manufacturing Index pulled back a bit after surging in July (still strong). The Fed’s Beige Book described growth as evenly split between “modest” and “moderate” across the 12 Fed districts.

The August employment report was mixed, but generally strong. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 173,000 (median forecast: +220,000), but with a net revision of +44,000 to June and July.

[Read more]

Interpreting Wall Street’s wild swings benefits from perspective

Clarksville, TN – The stock market sell-off continued Monday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other major domestic indices saw a significant drop in early morning trading, regained some ground as the day progressed, but still closed down 3% to 4% for the day.

Global markets were also down, notably in China, Hong Kong, Germany and the United Kingdom. The pullback appears to be driven by concern over slowing global growth, particularly as China’s economy (one of the world’s largest) falters, as well as the drop in commodity prices, namely oil.

[Read more]

American Heart Association reports Women active a few times weekly have lower risk of Heart Disease, Stroke and Blood Clots

Dallas, TX – Middle-aged women who are physically active a few times per week have lower risks of heart disease, stroke and blood clots than inactive women, according to research in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. Surprisingly, more frequent physical activity didn’t result in further reductions in risk, researchers said.

Physical activities associated with reduced risk included walking, gardening, and cycling.

[Read more]

« Previous Page — Next Page »