Commentary

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 16 hours ago

The US Federal Reserve said yesterday’s rate cut should do the trick when it comes to fighting rising joblessness. But new data Thursday shows the battle may take longer than thought. Applications for unemployment benefits rose last week as out-of-work Americans put Thanksgiving behind them. It was the biggest rise since the onset of the pandemic as initial claims increased by 44,000 to 236,000 in the week ended Dec. 6. The figure exceeded all but one estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 18 hours ago

Third-Quarter GDP Growth Estimate Increased. On December 11, the GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025 is 3.6 percent, up from 3.5 percent on December 5.

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 18 hours ago

Nearly 100,000 16- to 24-year-olds in Washington are neither in school nor employed. That's a big problem, the Seattle Times editorial board writes, as a big chunk of jobs statewide will require some form of higher education by 2032. https://buff.ly/RLWlUkk

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 20 hours ago

Fed Chair Jerome Powell Says U.S. May Be Drastically Overstating Jobs Numbers The country could be losing 20,000 jobs a month, Powell said, a concern that was part of the decision to cut interest rate. https://buff.ly/kcsU7ur

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 22 hours ago

Mexican lawmakers greenlit hefty tariffs on Asian imports, putting the country in step with Washington’s tougher line on China. Long a champion of free trade, Mexico is shifting course under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s leftist Morena party. https://buff.ly/tpSwDHA

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 1 day ago

This one may test how much of an Economics nerd you really are. Do you get excited to see the dot plot? It gives real insight into what the various members of the Fed are thinking about where the target rate should be on the road ahead.