Why the Angst Over Gasoline Prices?
I have to confess I don't know what the fuss about gasoline prices is all about, especially given the stoked media coverage ahead of the...
Unemployment Turns a Corner
April 15, 2021 With this week's Initial and Continuing Claims report, it appears as if the unemployment situation has begun on it's long...
Debt Service is Still Cheap
Interest payments on the national debt actually FELL last year, to $345 billion or 1.6% of gross domestic product. They’re on track to...
Last Index for 2020
The last Lewis-Mertens-Stock Index reading for the year. Still negative, progress has stalled, and the incoming administration has many...
Why There's No Inflation Threat
A few conversations about the fear of money supply expansion triggered this explanation, which was first pointed out (to my knowledge) by...
Over a Decade's Worth of Employment Progress Erased
Prime age employment (age 25-44) has retraced somewhat from the March low. It is now almost precisely at the level of the very LOWEST...
Deficit Soars, Receipts Decline
Spending to support the COVID wracked economy has sent the deficit to unheard of highs, while revenues suffer. We will have a long road...
Weekly Economics Index Calls It
The Lewis-Mertens-Stock Index did what it was supposed to do. It predicted the trajectory of the decline of Q2 GDP with great accuracy: ...
Continuing Claims Still Stagnant
With some parts of the country re-opening while others close, the employment picture remains dampened. We have a ways to go to see how...
Continuing Claims Remain in a Rut
Continuing UI claims show little movement this week. Remember: companies take on little risk by laying off TOO MANY people, so reversing...
