The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee held constant the federal funds rate at a top target of 5.5% at the conclusion of its June meeting. In its statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) noted: Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. Job gains have remained strong, and…
Both overall and core inflation continued to ease in May as decline in gasoline price offset the increase the shelter cost. This is a dovish signal for future monetary policy. Despite a slowdown in the year-over-year increase, shelter costs continue to put upward pressure on inflation, accounting for over 60% of the total increase in…
Total outstanding US debt stood at $5.05 trillion for the first quarter of 2024, increasing at an annualized rate of 1.86% (SA), according to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report. From the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, the total increased by 2.09%. This is lower than the 6.67% year-over-year…
In 2022, around 1.29 million women worked in construction in the United States, accounting for 10.97% of the industry, according to the 2022 American Community Survey. Within the construction industry, women are more likely to be found in such occupations as office and administrative support, management, business, and financial operations. Only 2.8% of women in…
Despite high interest rates, job growth accelerated in May, but the unemployment rate increased to 4.0%. Overall, the labor market remains strong, but there are signs of slowing, which signals monetary policy easing in the months ahead. Additionally, wage growth accelerated for the first time in four months. In May, wages grew at a 4.1%…
According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by 7 basis points (bps) in May 2024, reaching 7.06%, up from 6.99% the previous month. This represents a 64 bps increase from the previous year, when it stood at 6.34%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also saw an increase, rising 8 bps from April 2024,…
