Economic Commentary

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 21, 2020 The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) has remained a key concern for the financial markets. Unfortunately, there is continued uncertainty regarding how wide the virus will spread and how sharp the economic impact will be. China accounted for nearly a third of global growth in the last two years. While the […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 21, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. Once again, China adjusted the criteria for recognizing COVID-19 cases (over 76,000 reported cases as of February 21, with 2,248 deaths). The immediate direct impact on the global economy is through supply chain disruptions and reduced travel/tourism (in China and […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 14, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses current economic conditions. The economy was mixed in 2019. Consumer spending, while uneven, was relatively strong, supported by solid fundamentals. Business fixed investment and manufacturing were weak, but not “recessionary weak.” January data are to be taken with a grain of salt – seasonal […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY February 14, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. The spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 appeared to be slowing, but adjustments in the criteria for recognizing cases changed, boosting the reported number of infections. The change increased anxiety and uncertainty about the economic impact. Fed Chair Powell covered little […]