- Price index held down by continuing weakness in goods prices.
- Real spending increases slightly m/m.
- Spendable income growth after inflation remains stable & low.
Introducing
Kathleen Stephansen, CBE
in:Our Authors
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| Aug 28 2024U.S. Mortgage Applications Rose Slightly Last Week
- Purchase applications edge up & refinancing applications edge down.
- Interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate loan remains near May 2023 low.
- Average loan size declines.
USA| Aug 22 2024Chicago Fed National Activity Index decreases in July
- Weaker trend sets in.
- Three categories made negative contributions in July.
- Mortgage loan applications jumped in the week ended August 9.
- Purchase applications edge higher while refinancing continues to surge.
- Interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate loan held steady at lower levels not seen since May 2023.
USA| Aug 01 2024U.S. Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims on a Steady Uptrend
- Initial claims rose 14,000 in the week ended July 27.
- Continuing claims rose 33,000 in the week ended July 20.
- Insured unemployment rate holds steady.
USA| Jul 25 2024U.S. Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Drop in Latest Week
- Initial claims dropped 10,000 in the week ended July 20.
- Continuing claims dropped 9,000 in the week ended July 13.
- Insured unemployment rate holds steady.
USA| Jul 10 2024U.S. Mortgage Applications Were Mixed in Latest Week
- Mortgage applications eased in latest week.
- Home purchase applications rose while refinancing applications declined.
- Mortgage rates were mixed.
USA| Jun 20 2024U.S. Unemployment Insurance Claims Down 5,000 in June 15 Week
- Initial claims slightly higher than expected.
- Continuing claims increase moderately.
- Insured unemployment rate still 1.2%, same since March 2023.
USA| Jun 18 2024U.S. Industrial Production Rebounded in May
- IP growth rebounded 0.9% m/m in May as did manufacturing output.
- Within manufacturing, both durable and nondurable goods production rose last month.
- Mining activity rose.
- Capacity utilization rose to 78.7%.
USA| Jun 06 2024U.S. Unemployment Insurance Claims Rose Modestly in June 1 Week
- Initial jobless claims inched up 8,000 in the June 1 week.
- Continued weeks claims were very steady, with flat trend.
- The insured unemployment rate is unchanged since March 2023.
USA| Jun 05 2024U.S. Mortgage Applications Declined for a Second Week
- Drop in mortgage applications for the second week after three weekly increases.
- Purchase & refinancing applications both declined.
- Effective 30-year and 15-year fixed interest rates move higher.
- Mortgage applications edged up in the latest week.
- Purchase applications fell while refinancing applications rose.
- The effective interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate loans eased.
- of13Go to 2 page