Economic indicators

The FOMC post-meeting statement was much like the previous one, with just a minor tweak, as the fed funds target was kept at a range of 1.50% to 1.75%.

Consumers remain confident, as the consumer confidence index rose to 131.6 in January from an upwardly revised 128.2 in December, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Just when everyone thought there would be little drama at this week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the coronavirus has infected the broader markets. Experts still say monetary policy will be immune for now.

The Leading Economic Index fell 0.3% in December to 111.2, while the coincident index rose 0.1% and the lagging index dipped 0.1%, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

While the general feeling is the Federal Reserve will keep rates steady this year, not everyone is on board with that view.

Treasury will auction the new bonds in the first half of the year,

With the phase one trade deal with China finally signed, there should be less uncertainty, which will boost the economy. But will China adhere to the pact?

A report from the Federal Reserve reported modest economic growth, a characterization two Federal Reserve Bank presidents seemed to agree with.

The Trump administration plans to restrict the ability to prepare advance stories on economic data, according to people familiar with the matter.

Two Federal Reserve Bank presidents were positive about the economy in 2020, but offered a look at what worries them.

Nonfarm payrolls gained a less-than-expected 145,000 in December, and the unemployment rate held at 3.5%. Slow wage growth suggests the economy will not overheat and the Fed can maintain rates.

While Fed officials repeated their contention that monetary policy is appropriate and rates can be held if the outlook remains as expected, the situation with Iran could cause preemptive cuts, one noted economist suggests.

President Trump announced sanctions on Iran, but with no signals about other retaliation, the markets appear convinced of no further escalation of hostilities.

While the impending signing of a phase one trade deal with China should help the manufacturing sector rebound, Boeing’s decision to halt manufacturing of its 737 MAX will be a short-term negative for the ISM index.

President Trump’s New Year’s Eve announcement that he will sign a phase one trade deal with China will offer some stability to those hurt most by the trade war and should allow the Federal Reserve to keep monetary policy accommodative, according to analysts.

Home price indexes rise; consumer confidence falls

Pending home sales rose 1.2% in November while the Chicago Business Barometer increased in December.

The markets will build on 2019’s gains next year, as they withstood “trade tensions, impeachment, and geopolitical uncertainties” with the economy posting a record 11th year of expansion, according to economists.

Manufacturing activity contracted again in December, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s survey.

New home sales rose to 719,000 in November, from a downwardly revised 710,000 pace in October, first reported as a 733,000 pace, the Commerce Department said Monday.