Economic Commentary

ECONOMY AND POLICY March 03, 2020 The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates by .50% in preparation for potential coronavirus impacts. For the first time since 2008, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opted for an unscheduled, 50-basis-point rate cut on Tuesday, bringing the target range for the federal funds rate (the overnight lending […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 28, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses his monthly economic outlook. At this point, much remains unknown about COVID-19. About 80% of people infected show minor symptoms, but 20% become seriously ill and about 2% die. That is less deadly than Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which had a mortality rate […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 28, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses current economic conditions. The coronavirus has spread to other countries and the CDC issued a stark warning about the possible consequences in the U.S. Stock market participants appear to have entered the panic phase. Bond yields have plummeted to record lows. On Friday, Fed […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 28, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. The good news is that the spread of COVID-19 in China appears to have slowed. The very bad news is that the coronavirus has shown up in more countries. A wider expanse in the U.S., what health experts call “community […]