Commentary

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 16 hours ago

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales in November and December to grow 3.7% to 4.2% YoY. That growth would be comparable to last year, when sales in the period rose 4.3%. For all the hand-wringing over tariffs and a wobbling economy, shoppers are spending where they perceive value. https://buff.ly/eCTPB2t

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 16 hours ago

This week: Monday: House cleaning and preparing for relatives (or travel) Tuesday: The Conference Board releases its consumer-confidence index for November Wednesday: Last minute shopping for neglected items Thursday: Cooking, eating, cleaning, napping Friday: Shopping, leftovers

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 19 hours ago

In Seattle, juggling two or more jobs isn’t just for low-wage workers. Some are drawn to the flexibility of gig work. Others are pressured by high costs of living — from housing to child care to debt. https://buff.ly/TFl3tuI

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 21 hours ago

Are millennials frozen out of the housing market? The reality may be more interesting. An eye-catching report said the average first-time homebuyer is now 40, but the story is more complex. It’s probably not true that the average first-time home buyer is that much older than before (~33 years old), despite the NAR’s questionnaire results. But it is true that millennials have found homeownership harder to attain than earlier generations. https://buff.ly/goc6kwh

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 23 hours ago

Last week stocks fell as volatility and uncertainty over the future of rate cuts put pressure on investors. Treasury yields declined across the board, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid rising concerns about slowing economic growth. Payroll employment was stronger than expected, increasing 119,000 in September; however, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, suggesting that although the labor market remained steady, signs of weakness are emerging. The final University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for November checked in at 51.0, up from the preliminary reading of 50.3, but below October’s final reading of 53.6 and significantly below last year’s November reading of 71.8. Inflation expectations remained flat month-over-month at 4.6%. Although the government shutdown has ended, some data for the month of October will not be recovered. @Chmura Economics & Analytics

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 1 day ago

Trump said he expects much lower interest rates once he can install a new Fed chair, but growing opposition inside the central bank to a December rate cut suggests he might not get his way. https://buff.ly/ljk6xMR