Private payrolls in the US posted a solid gain last month, marking a dramatic improvement after September’s nearly flat increase. Companies added 252,000 workers in October, according to this morning’s release from the Labor Department – a robust revival vs. the trivial 15,000 rise in the previous month.
Continue reading →

It’s no secret that global interest rates have been low in recent years, but a recent study by the Bank of England (BoE) finds that the decline exceeds records going back to the 13^th century. Piecing together a new dataset, the research advises that the latest bond bull market that’s driven yields down is even more extraordinary than previously known.
Continue reading →

Trump picks Jerome Powell to head Federal Reserve: NY Times
House Republicans roll out tax-cut plan: CBS News
Will the new tax plan boost economic growth? CSM
US jobless claims fell last week, close to a 44-1/2 year low: Reuters
Job cut announcements by US firms continue to trend down: Challenger Gray
Economists expect US Q4 GDP growth of 2.9%, down from Q3’s 3.0%: CNBC
US productivity beats expectations; rises 3.0% in Q3: RTT
Global Mfg PMI ticks up in Oct to 6-1/2 year high: IHS Markit