Introducing

Kathleen Stephansen, CBE

Kathleen Stephansen is a Senior Economist for Haver Analytics and an Independent Trustee for the EQAT/VIP/1290 Trust Funds, encompassing the US mutual funds sponsored by the Equitable Life Insurance Company. She is a former Chief Economist of Huawei Technologies USA, Senior Economic Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group, Chief Economist of the American International Group (AIG) and AIG Asset Management’s Senior Strategist and Global Head of Sovereign Research. Prior to joining AIG in 2010, Kathleen held various positions as Chief Economist or Head of Global Research at Aladdin Capital Holdings, Credit Suisse and Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities Corporation.

Kathleen serves on the boards of the Global Interdependence Center (GIC), as Vice-Chair of the GIC College of Central Bankers, is the Treasurer for Economists for Peace and Security (EPS) and is a former board member of the National Association of Business Economics (NABE). She is a member of Chatham House and the Economic Club of New York. She holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the Universite Catholique de Louvain and graduate degrees in economics from the University of New Hampshire (MA) and the London School of Economics (PhD abd).

Publications by Kathleen Stephansen, CBE

USA| Sep 21 2022
U.S. Mortgage Applications Rose in the Latest Week
Total mortgage applications rose in the week of September 16.

Applications for both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages posted strong weekly rises.

The effective rate on all mortgage interest rates soared in the week of September 16.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Sep 15 2022
U.S. Philly Fed General Activity Index Back to Negative Reading in September
Business activity weakens this month.

Prices paid plummet to the lowest level December 2020.

Future expectations of activity remain negative.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Sep 14 2022
U.S. Mortgage Applications Remain on a Downtrend
Total mortgage applications fell in the latest week.

Applications for adjustable-rate mortgages jumped 5.2%.

The effective rate on a 5-year ARM dropped while all other mortgage interest rates rose in the week of September 9.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Sep 01 2022
U.S. Unemployment Claims Remain on Slight Downtrend
Initial claims down 5,000 in week ended August 27; previous week revised down 6,000.

Continued weeks claimed up 26,000 in the August 20 week.

The insured unemployment rate remains in the record low range.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 31 2022
U.S. Mortgage Applications Decrease in the Latest Survey Week
Applications for purchases and refinancing dropped in the August 26 week.

Applications for adjustable-rate mortgages surged.

Interest rates rose for fixed-rate loans.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 30 2022
U.S. FHFA Monthly Price Increase May Have Reached an Inflection Point in June
House prices rose minimally in June.

House prices posted monthly declines in five out of nine regions.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 24 2022
U.S. Durable Goods Orders Paused in July
Manufacturers' new orders for durable goods take a breather.

New orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft continue to improve.

Order backlogs & inventories post small gains.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 18 2022
U.S. Philly Fed General Activity Index Back to Positive Reading in August
Business activity returns to positive territory in August following two consecutive monthly declines.

Inflation indicators fell again this month, though remain elevated.

Future expectations of activity remain negative in August despite the improvement from July.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 11 2022
U.S. Unemployment Claims Continue on an Uptrend
Initial claims rose 14,000 in the August 6 week.

The previous week was revised down by 12,000.

Continued claims rose 8,000 in the July 30 week.

The insured unemployment rate remained at 1.0%.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 10 2022
U.S. Mortgage Applications Rose Slightly in the Latest Week
Purchase applications declined in the week of August 5.

Refinancing applications rose.

Mortgage rates rose or remained stable.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 04 2022
U.S. Unemployment Claims Remain on an Uptrend
Initial claims rose 6,000 in the July 30 week.

The previous week was revised down slightly by 2,000.

Continued claims rose 48,000 in the July 23 week.

The insured unemployment rate remained at 1.0%.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief
USA| Aug 03 2022
Mortgage Applications Increase in the Latest Week
Purchase and refinancing applications rose in the week of July 29.

Mortgage rates declined.
by:Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
|in:Economy in Brief