Last week, a number of important economic updates were released, including September’s inflation and retail sales reports and a first look at consumer confidence in October. The retail sales report was a highlight, as both headline and core sales increased by more than expected due to a rise in spending on consumer goods. This will be another busy week for updates, with a focus on industrial production and the housing sector.
Commonwealth
Kindness, Work, and the Worker Shortfall
I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on yesterday’s post (thank you!) on how we should be kind, to others and ourselves, given the unprecedented and long-lasting conditions we have been fighting. As I thought more about it, I realized it also resonated with one of the key economic issues we are seeing today: the decision by millions of people to simply drop out of the labor force. The headlines today have multiple references to how people are simply choosing not to work and wondering when, and if, that will change.
Better Together
This will be a short update as I am in the airport headed home from Commonwealth’s Founder’s Club conference. As usual, it was a wonderful experience—good company, great activities, and a spectacular setting. But what struck me at this conference, in particular, was the value of personal contact.
Monthly Market Risk Update: October 2021
My colleague Sam Millette, manager, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, has helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam!
Economic Risk Factor Update: October 2021
My colleague Sam Millette, manager, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, has helped me put together this month’s Economic Risk Factor Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam!
Monday Update: Hiring Slows in September
Last week saw the release of a number of important economic updates, with a focus on international trade, service sector confidence, and the September employment report. Although the employment report showed that hiring continued to slow in September, reports from previous months saw upward revisions that partially offset the slowdown. This will be another busy week for updates, with reports to come on September’s inflation and retail sales, as well as a first look at consumer confidence in October.