On August 26, Fed Chair Powell sent a jolt through financial markets with his remarks delivered to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s annual central banking conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. What did he say and why did he say it—and is there anything more to be said? The Powell speech was focused on … Continue reading Chair Powell’s Remarks: What Did He Say—and Why?
How Does the Ukraine War Affect the Outlook?
You have almost certainly discovered that prices at the pump have jumped over recent days. Unfortunately, pump prices are still headed higher. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the global oil market and pushed energy prices higher. This impact is coming at a time when inflation is running at the fastest pace in four … Continue reading How Does the Ukraine War Affect the Outlook?
Has the Inflation Dragon Been Slayed?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August was greeted with relief. Headline inflation slowed to 0.3 percent from 0.9 percent two months earlier while core inflation (with volatile food and energy prices removed) slowed to only 0.1 percent in August. The moderating of inflation is illustrated in the table below. Note that the increase in … Continue reading Has the Inflation Dragon Been Slayed?
The Economy: Lots of Demand, Not So Much Supply
The June establishment survey jobs report showed gains of 850 thousand new jobs, following increases averaging half that amount over the previous two months. It was hailed as good news. Furthermore, new claims for unemployment insurance have been declining over recent weeks—more good news. We should note, however, that 190 thousand of the 850 thousand … Continue reading The Economy: Lots of Demand, Not So Much Supply
Featured – June Audiobook Month
June is Audiobook Month! I am thrilled to announce that during the month of June, Capitalism Versus Socialism: What Does the Bible Have to Say? will be featured by Nook and included in their discount sale. To purchase the audiobook through Nook, please click on the button below. Nook audiobooks
Podcast – Live With Glatt Consulting Group, Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARYv4j_4yy0 In this podcast Tom Glatt, Jr. and Matt Griffiths (of Glatt Consulting Group) dive into economics, in particular what to expect in terms of inflation and interest rates. Dr. Thomas Simpson joins as a special guest. Dr. Simpson spent most of his career at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in … Continue reading Podcast – Live With Glatt Consulting Group, Inc.
Ideology Versus Faith
Ideology: A manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture The integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical programA systematic body of concepts especially about human life or cultureVisionary theorizing Faith: Allegiance to duty or a person Fidelity to one's promisesSincerity of intentions acted in good faithBelief and trust in and … Continue reading Ideology Versus Faith
The Impact of Ultra-Low Interest Rates
The era of ultra-low interest rates is upon us and is likely to remain for a good while (see Buoying the Economy: An Era of Ultra-Low Interest Rates, July 13. 2020 and The Fed’s New Game Plan: Radical?, August 31, 2020). The Fed has committed to keeping its target for the policy interest rate—the overnight … Continue reading The Impact of Ultra-Low Interest Rates
January 6, 2021 Presentation
THE NATIONAL ECONOMY: RECOVERING FROM THE COVID-19 SHOCKDownload Presentation
Taking Stock of the Economic Recovery
The start of the year is a good time to take stock of where the economy has been and where it is headed. The COVID-19 shock in early 2020 led to the sharpest contraction in output on record. The table below shows that real GDP plunged 9 percent in the second quarter (at a quarterly, … Continue reading Taking Stock of the Economic Recovery
Thomas D. Simpson, PH.D. 