The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment preliminary report shows that consumers remain pessimistic about the economy – except those with the most extensive stock holdings. Those with large portfolios posted a “notable 11% increase in sentiment, supported by continued strength in stock markets.” However, there was widespread negativity across the population – regardless of age, […]
Author: Kristy Bendall
Continued weak U.S. dollar puts strain on American households’ purchasing power
The U.S. dollar over the past year has seen its most significant decline since 1973. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against a selected group of foreign currencies (comprising America’s major trading partners), fell about 11% from January through the end of June. After hitting a low at the end of July, the […]
Administration takes advantage of the government shutdown to peddle fabricated economic news
In another made-up – not based in reality – ‘Truth’ Social post, President Trump posted on October 6 the following: “JUST OUT: Good news for the Holiday Season. EARLY PRICES ARE DOWN, WHILE TARIFFS ARE MAKING OUR COUNTRY AN ECONOMIC POWER AGAIN. Also, virtually NO INFLATION, AS STOCK MARKETS CONTINUALLY HIT RECORD HIGHS. THE BEST […]
Immigrants not welcome … unless you’ve got cash
In simultaneous announcements on September 19, President Trump moved to limit skilled H-1B visas by imposing a $100,000 fee for companies seeking workers, while at the same time openly welcoming wealthy immigrants willing to ‘gift’ the U.S. government $1 million (or $2 million if it is a corporation). Buy your way into the USA. While […]
Leading Economic Index for the U.S. falls sharply in August
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the US declined by 0.5% in August 2025 to 98.4. Signaling a weakening economy, which has declined at a faster rate over the past six months compared to the previous six-month period. The LEI fell by 2.8% over the six months between February and August 2025, compared to […]
Shelter and food costs led inflation higher in August
Contrary to the Administration’s promises that prices will come down for everyday American’s the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics August CPI report showed that inflation continues to tick up, increasing 0.4 percent month over month and 2.9 percent year over year. The two core basic need categories, shelter and food, were among the most significant […]
Trade deficit continues to widen under the Trump Administration’s tariff chaos
American companies rushed to secure foreign goods in July, ahead of planned tariff increases at the beginning of August, thereby further widening the US trade deficit. Rather than decreasing the deficit – as Trump claimed would happen – the tariff chaos and continued flip-flops have created insecurity among U.S.-based businesses, which are concerned about rising […]
Trump focuses on stock market gains as American consumer sentiment continues to decline
On August 18, the Trump Administration released an Article to the Official White House Website entitled ‘Trump Economy Ignites Record-Breaking Earnings Surge, Market Boom’ in which the Administration stated “Under President Donald J. Trump’s bold pro-growth policies, American businesses are thriving like never before — shattering earnings forecasts and propelling the stock market to continued […]
Second quarter jobs data shows women continue to trail men in median weekly earnings
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released the median weekly earnings for the second quarter of 2025. Amid this Administration’s roll-back of DEI policies, meant to support women and other minority classes, it is clear that the trend of women falling behind their male counterparts in equal pay is likely to continue. Furthermore, it […]
Labor market weakens more than expected – employers weary of investment
Solidifying fears of a negative impact of the Administration’s chaotic tariff and trade policy, U.S. employers have largely stopped investing in new labor. The June jobs numbers came in well below estimates at just 73,000 new jobs created last month. Furthermore, and more concern, the revisions for May showed that hiring was much lower than […]