- We think GDP rose at a 2.6% quarter-on-quarter pace in Q1, powered primarily by consumers’ spending.
- Data released before the GDP estimate next Thursday, however, could shift our forecast materially.
- Home sales likely still have further to fall in Q2, despite their big drop in March.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Ignore the fall in the LEI in March—Q1 GDP growth will be brisk—but it should become a better guide soon.
- Look out for an above-consensus rise in jobless claims today as Easter distortions unwind; the trend is rising.
- February’s surge in existing home sales looks like an anomaly; expect a plunge in March.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Encouraging, but too soon to call a real recovery.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
Large fall is likely an Easter timing quirk; the trend still looks flat.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Chair Powell signals that the Fed requires much more data to start easing soon; June odds down again.
- The widening spread between part-time and full-time job growth is an alarming signal for payrolls.
- The early Easter hit March housing starts but, in any event, a sustained recovery is some way off.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Limited inventory of existing homes continues to help homebuilders.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
Consumption is still booming...for now.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
Too volatile to make us fear a renewed downturn in manufacturing.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Homebase data point to a mere 120K rise in private payrolls in April, but the range of possible prints is wide.
- Strong March retail sales and upward revisions mean Q1 consumption likely rose by more than 3%.
- The early Easter likely depressed housing starts in March, offsetting support from further mild weather.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Goods disinflation continues; margins and other services still sticky.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Generous seasonals still depressing claims, but an uptrend is coming.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
Some downside growth risks recognized, but attention still mostly on inflation
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- March CPI and PPI data point to a 0.3% rise in the core PCE deflator, with an outside chance of a 0.2% print.
- Personal tax refunds so far in 2024 are little changed compared to last year, but that could still change.
- Higher gas prices probably mean a small fall in the Michigan sentiment survey from its recent highs.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Almost half of the rise in March core CPI services ex-rent prices was due to a wild jump in auto insurance.
- We’re raising our near-term forecasts for rents and hospital services prices, but retaining our optimistic outlook.
- Core PPI inflation should be depressed by falling margins, driven by slowing growth in core retail sales.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The balance of risks points to a decent chance of a 0.2% core CPI print for March, a tenth below consensus.
- Zillow data signal a modest rise in primary rent; OER is wild but likely won’t rise much faster than primary rents.
- Both used vehicle and hotel room prices probably fell in March; the early Easter might depress goods prices too.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Revisions between the first and third payroll estimate have become bigger and increasingly negative.
- Under pressure SMEs likely are under-represented in the first estimate; expect larger downward revisions in Q2.
- We expect another fall in the NFIB index in March, as small businesses remain under pressure.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US