This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 01 December 2023

By: Taro Chellaram /Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report/Dec 05, 2023

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 01 December 2023

The U.S. data this week signaled that the economic expansion remains intact even as inflation continues to slow. The personal income and spending data for October showed that real household consumption growth remained solid, albeit not quite as strong as it was in the third quarter. Inflation-adjusted consumption growth in October was fueled by higher spending on services (+0.2%) and nondurable goods (+0.3%), while spending on durable goods declined by 0.3%. Real GDP growth in Q3 was revised up from 4.9% in the first release to an even-stronger 5.2% in the second release. A slowdown in Q4 from such a blistering pace is all but assured, but the initial consumer spending data for the quarter suggest that it will be a moderation rather than a nosedive.

The October reading of the PCE deflator confirmed what the October CPI data showed a few weeks ago: Inflation continued its descent in the month. The headline PCE deflator was unchanged in October and up 3.0% from one year ago. Excluding food and energy, prices increased 0.2% in October and 3.5% year-over-year. These year-ago rates of headline and core PCE inflation were the lowest since March 2021 and April 2021, respectively. The FOMC is not yet ready to declare mission accomplished in its inflation fight. Despite the slowdown, price growth is still above the central bank's 2% target, and policymakers want to feel confident that this inflation pace is sustained over time. That said, the deceleration in prices bodes well for the widening path to a soft landing for the U.S. economy.

It is important to remember that slowing inflation still means that prices are rising, just at a slower rate. Data released this week showed that this dynamic is also playing out in the housing market. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index rose 0.7% in September and is up 3.9% compared to one year ago. This is fairly close to the pace that prevailed in 2018-2019 and marks a notable slowdown from September 2021 and 2022, when home prices were up 19.1% and 10.5% year-over-year, respectively. Elevated mortgage rates have clearly helped induce the slowdown, but limited inventory for sale and a still-solid labor market have kept prices from outright declining in most parts of the country. Still-solid demand and limited inventory have kept new home sales buoyed despite the surge in mortgage rates. New home sales fell 5.6% in October but are still running at roughly the same pace that prevailed in 2019 when mortgage rates were much lower.

High interest rates also continue to weigh on the manufacturing sector. The ISM manufacturing index for November came in at 46.7, matching October's number. A reading below 50 is consistent with a manufacturing sector that is generally contracting. Among the subcomponents of the index, the employment and current production measures weakened relative to October, while new orders perked up somewhat. Overall, the ISM manufacturing index is near the weakest levels seen over the past 25 years outside the 2001 and 2008-2009 recessions. The prospects for a soft landing for the U.S. economy are better today than they were a year ago, but they are far from assured.




This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 13 March 2020

Financial conditions tightened sharply this week as concerns over the coronavirus and the economic fallout of containment efforts mounted.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 10 November 2023

Sometimes, the impact of higher rates is quite obvious, such as the series of bank failures that occurred earlier this year.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 04 August 2023

Employment growth was broad-based, though reliant on a 87K gain in health care & social assistance. Modest gains from construction, financial activities and hospitality also contributed to private sector job growth.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 06 December 2019

The latest hiring data are an encouraging sign that the U.S. economy is withstanding the global slowdown and continued trade-related uncertainty.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 4 October 2019

Survey evidence flashed signs of contraction in the manufacturing sector and indicated weakness spreading to the services side of the economy, while employers added a less-than-expected 136K jobs in September.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 02 April 2021

Increased vaccinations and an improving public health position led to an easing of restrictions and pickup in activity across the country in March.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 04 June 2021

The CDC\'s relaxation of its mask mandate occurred mid-May, and as data for that month begins rolling in this week, it is evident there is no lack of demand. Supplies, on the other hand, are a worsening problem.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 21 October 2020

Mobility is continuing to trickle lower in several major developed market economies. The U.K., France, Italy and Canada have all seen some further modest declines in retail/recreation visits.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 12 May 2023

In April, the CPI rose 0.4% on both a headline and core basis, keeping the core running at a 5.1% three-month annualized rate. However, details pointed to price growth easing ahead.

This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 14 April 2023

In March retail sales fell 1.0%, manufacturing production slipped 0.5% and the consumer price index rose a modest 0.1%.


Instagram

@ tcgcrealestate

Subscribe Now! IT's Free

Stay up to date with all news coming straight in your mailbox.

Copyright © 2025 TC Global Commercial. All rights reserved.