Northern Trust

Europe needs higher investments, which will only be possible with an overhaul of its fiscal rules.

Inflation has spread to our holiday celebrations.

China is still far from open for business as usual.

A split government will limit aggressive agendas and progress on important longer-term issues.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for inflation, growth, employment and interest rates.

The Fed will keep hiking, but at a slower pace.

The Fed needs to carefully mop up excess liquidity to avoid funding stress.

Governments will have to resist the temptation to address stagflation with stimulus.

Internal priorities and external circumstances have brought China's growth to an inflection point.

After a strong rebound from the pandemic in 2021, it’s been all downhill for the global economy this year. Economic activity is being hindered as policymakers cope with the hottest inflation in decades, impairments from the Ukraine war, and China’s prolonged lockdowns. Recession fears are starting to come true.

Renewed increases in energy prices come at a bad time in the battle against inflation.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, employment, inflation and interest rates.

Hurricane Ian has laid bare the challenges facing Florida’s insurance industry.

Evidence of a cooling labor market is emerging.

A path remains in sight for the U.S. to avoid a recession.

Policy responses to shortages are not always effective.

The pandemic drove up debt, and higher interest rates are adding to the burden.

Populations are aging, and the economic consequences will be substantial.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

Writing off a portion of student debt does not fix the core challenges of paying for higher education.

The pandemic surge in demand for houses has run its course.

The war against inflation will be won when we no longer need to worry about it.

Workers take time to reach their full potential in new jobs.

Scarcity and trade frictions are leading to major supply chain realignments.

A long negotiation cycle yields green investment, a smaller deficit and higher corporate taxes.

The tourism industry remains vulnerable to macroeconomic, public health and geopolitical risks.

Household, corporate and bank balance sheets are more resilient today than during past crises.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

Labor force participation is the greatest shortfall in an otherwise thriving labor market.

Major EMs are more resilient to U.S. interest rate hikes today than they were in past cycles.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

A more integrated global economy is making sanctions less effective.

Office spaces still have a role in the future of work.

The availability of goods and cost of shipping are improving.

New signs of stress are evident in China's property market.

New signs of stress are evident in China's property market.

What drove the U.S. dollar's surge, and can it last?

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

Shinzo Abe's policies had a substantial impact both in Japan and around the world.

Reducing the money supply will help to curtail inflation.

Markets are expecting lower gasoline prices ahead.

Though risks are rising, strong hiring and purchase activity suggest that the economy can keep growing.

Revenue above expectations, pandemic federal aid and reserves have strengthened states' financial outlook. But states will need to prepare as pandemic aid winds down and the economy slows.

Inflation, China, Russia, Central Banks, Labor, Recession: It's been quite a year thus far.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

Sustainable investing needs to adapt to new realities without compromising its core principles.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

The world needs a stronger World Trade Organization.

How high do interest rates have to go to control inflation?

What will be the Fed's next steps after a rapid course correction?

Not all value strategies have benefited equally during value stocks’ recent outperformance versus growth stocks.

Japan zero-inflation mindset is no match for today's price pressures.

A cooler housing market isn't a bad outcome.

Strong employment and spending will help the economy grow through current shocks.

Wedding costs reflect the myriad forces that have driven inflation upward.

Policymakers and forecasters were slow to change their mindset about inflation.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

When life gives you lemons: sell them!

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

RMB depreciation won't offer much support to Chinese growth.

The Fed has set the stage for a series of rapid rate hikes.

The Fed will need some luck on its side to deliver another soft landing.

Draghi has put the Italian economy back on track, but challenges remain.

Drug abuse and long-haul COVID are obstacles to getting back to work.

The risk of an imminent recession is low, but next year is anyone's guess.

The dollar is not as dominant as it was two decades ago, but is still the leading global currency.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

China's zero-COVID approach will undermine its position as the supply chain hub of the world.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates.

What role do financial statements play in climate change?

The first quarter of 2022 brought violence that rocked communities – and markets – internationally. We look at what aftershocks may still be yet to come.

Output is not falling, but the amount of energy required to fuel that activity is diminishing.

The Federal Reserve’s first rate hike in years has sparked bond volatility, pushing investors to search for yield elsewhere.

The yield curve's movements are unlikely to change the Fed's course.

India's economic links with Russia leave it in a delicate position.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

The war in Ukraine will weigh on the rest of Europe.

Fuel prices keep consumers focused on inflation.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth and interest rates in a context of high inflation.

With no end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine in sight, energy and agriculture are feeling the strain.

Price shocks are a boon for some emerging markets, while a curse for others.

Losing Russia and Ukraine's commodity exports is a risk to supply chains and inflation.

What are the consequences of taking Russia's international payments offline?

Russia's actions will have immediate and long-term ramifications.

This week's biggest news adds to the complications in energy markets.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

Consumer spending and borrowing have rebounded, and delinquencies have not.

Inflation in the housing market will continue to build.

Inflation in the housing market will continue to build.

As tensions between Russia and Ukraine mount, so too does market volatility.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for inflation and how the Federal Reserve will react.

The size and timing of QT will depend on financial conditions and the evolution of inflation.

The macroeconomic picture still doesn't support the case for monetary tightening in the eurozone.

Ongoing labor market shifts are a risk to economic growth.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

Spurred by rate hike concerns, geopolitical tensions and more, markets saw a 10% correction intra-day today – find out how that impacts our outlook.

“Supply chain” used to be a piece of business jargon that rarely made its way into normal conversations.

The flow of excess cash has returned to normal, but the stock is still quite elevated.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy.

Excess cash has accumulated in every corner of the economy.

A legislative impasse raises bigger questions about public finances.

Employment metrics support the Fed's change of course.

The Fed has made a sharp pivot by accelerating the tapering of its asset purchases.

The BoE has started tightening. Will the ECB follow?

The economics teams reflects on six themes that defined an extraordinary year.

High inflation and strong economic data may make the Fed hurry to conclude asset purchases.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

The latest climate pledges are encouraging, but fulfilling them will be a challenge.

The new variant will test our ability to live with COVID-19

The deteriorating health situation in Europe threatens to send the recovery into reverse.

Once started, wage-price spirals are hard to stop.

What is in the new infrastructure bill, and what's next for Congress?

Boosting confidence in public health is essential to a durable economic recovery.

In this special report, the Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, inflation, employment and interest rates in the year ahead.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Strikes and quits show workers are feeling emboldened.

The phrase “behind the curve” originates from aviation. The “power curve” maps an airplane’s speed to the thrust applied by the engine. This relationship varies with conditions; being behind the power curve can risk stalling or damaging the plane.

With Turkey’s central bankers being shown the door, foreign investors are likely to follow.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with COVID-19.

The higher the costs of conventional energy, the greater the case for investment in clean energy sources.

Global themes we are tracking: public health, de-globalization, policy retreat, technology and the East and West divide.

The outlook for the fourth quarter and beyond is positive, but the recovery remains uneven. The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for key markets in the month ahead.

Personal trading could undermine public trust in the Federal Reserve.

Unilateralism is not a remedy for multilateral institutions.

Personal trading could undermine public trust in the Federal Reserve.

The Delta variant’s impact on supply chains and domestic spending slowed economic activity in the third quarter. Consumer confidence dipped noticeably, and businesses’ outlook dimmed somewhat. Rising inflation, the product of goods and labor shortages, has been a concern.

Today's supply and inflation challenges stem from Brexit.

Are inflation forecasts reliable enough to shape policy?

Several events will have major influences on the global economy in the months ahead.

Canada's election yielded no changes, leaving housing as the key risk to watch.

The stage looks set for a taper without any tantrums.

The spillover from the property sector to the broader economy could be significant.

The Delta variant and supply constraints are the biggest worries for the global outlook.

The Fed governors will soon decide when and how to taper asset purchases.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Europe still needs fiscal support to preserve stability and growth.

The U.S. Congress faces major financial deadlines in the month ahead.

Evergrande is an example of the risk of debt defaults to China's financial stability.

Household savings and central bank policies have reduced the need for credit.

Trucks are a vital link in supply chains, but there aren't enough people to drive them.

Floods, fires and droughts are growing risks.

A puzzling jump in retired Americans should reverse soon.

Measures aimed at containing COVID-19 will suppress growth and stress inflation.

New virus outbreaks in supplier nations are adding to inventory problems.

The recovery has had its ups and downs, but the economy is moving in the right direction.

Governments are finding their place in supporting development.

The automotive market is running lean.

The debate over post-pandemic scheduling often centers on productivity.

A firm economic recovery is well underway, but the fast-spreading Delta variant is clouding the outlook.

Delta has the potential to alter the path of recovery; central banks are rising to face heavy challenges; and U.S. states have survived a major stress event.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Workers have the upper hand, but not for long; Latin America stagflates; and Sweden provides a case study in COVID-19 response.

Reflecting on a busy six months of vaccines, inflation, trade relations, supply chains, and policy challenges.

Brexit is as complicated as we expected, but restaurants are reviving and aircraft tariffs are suspended.

Many economies are now in advanced stages of economic reopening, but some are still struggling.

The Fed is talking about tapering its asset purchases.

COVID made demographic challenges even more complicated, but that hasn't slowed demand for houses in the U.S.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Crisis investments may yield a lasting boost to productivity, while Australia's restrictions pose a lingering risk.

From base effects to bottlenecks, wages to pricing power, inflation questions abound.

China was the first nation to enter recovery, and high U.S. import demand has helped it.

Advanced economies are doing better than emerging markets.

Biden pushes more spending just as the U.S. debt ceiling returns from hiatus, while Scotland's standing in the U.K. is uncertain.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Labor markets are changing course. When will the Fed do the same? India's second wave will disrupt activity elsewhere.

"Buy American:" easier said than done. Sports leagues are still struggling, and tax evasion is costly.

Human capital needs renewal; COVID-19 sweeps through India again, while the U.S. economy springs back to life.

National corporate tax policies need global coordination; U.S. unemployment rates don't tell the full story.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for global growth in this year of reopening.

Infrastructure merits more investment, everywhere; we look at the specifics of the U.S. proposal.

A year ago, the U.S. registered its deepest economic contraction since the Second World War.

Central banks will go digital, and homeowners avoided foreclosure.

Addressing technical, idiosyncratic and structural aspects of inflation.

Failure to boost vaccination programs could hurt the eurozone economy.

Reflecting on the anniversary of the pandemic, revamped child benefits and how democracy fosters economic growth.

Will the Fed respond to inflation concerns?

Over the past month, the expectations of growth in the year ahead have surged, with fixed income markets repricing and investors shifting allocations in anticipation of growth.

How does risk management work when risks change rapidly?

How long will the effects of COVID be felt in potential growth, the tourism sector and bankruptcy filings?

Weighing the costs of global vaccine access, minimum wage and the energy rally.

A strong economic rebound is expected towards the middle of the year, followed by a return to more normal growth in 2022.

Are proposed fiscal policies and student debt forgiveness too much of a good thing?

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for the U.S. economy.

Any surge in inflation will likely not last for long, but Italy's economic troubles and the shift in rental markets may endure.

Emerging markets seek a sustainable solution to debts, and the Fed takes a step toward sustainability.

Faster vaccination and bigger stimulus can pave the way to a better year, and agriculture subsidies upset trade relationships.

The Senate outcome opens the door to future cooperation, while Brexit sets the stage for future frictions.

Policymakers around the world share the challenges of containing the renewed outbreak and supporting those affected by it.

A variety of data sources show we are closer to normal, but not fully recovered.

From global responses to local lockdowns, we all witnessed dramatic changes in 2020.

Promising developments surrounding vaccination give us hope that 2021 will be a better than year than the one that is about to end.

Brexit negotiations had another unproductive week. Parcel shipping volumes are breaking records. And when and why might the Fed alter its asset purchases?

While some indicators are slowing, we are optimistic for a better year ahead.

Yellen is a good candidate for a tough job, and we review the outlooks for U.S. holiday spending and trade in Asia.

Recovery from COVID-19 has been a mix of successes and setbacks.

Fair trade over free trade will remain the theme in Washington.

The Northern Trust Economics team reviews the outlook for developed markets facing COVID-19.

The Northern Trust Economics team forecasts the U.S. economy’s continued recovery.

The 2020 election dims the outlook for major legislation and aid to local governments, while central banks face the risk of a liquidity trap.

Our election 2020 coverage concludes with a look at the nation’s physical and human capital.

Fostering immigration, encouraging family expansion, and stopping COVID-19 are tough problems with no easy solutions.

The environment is one of many sets of regulations under consideration.

With COVID-19 cases rising and policy support fading, the recovery faces many risks.

U.S. Healthcare Reform Proposals, Childcare Needed to Support Workers, Past U.S. Debt Recovery Won’t Repeat.

Our election 2020 coverage begins with fiscal policy, security risks that are slowing foreign investment, and legislative standstills.

Our election 2020 coverage begins with fiscal policy, security risks that are slowing foreign investment, and legislative standstills.

Brexit takes an uncertain turn, while the Fed seeks loan borrowers and parents welcome adult children back home.

In recent years, global equities had slightly outpaced market forecasts for lower equity returns. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit the global economy, putting an end to the 10-year bull market. Equity markets have now started to recover, but the pandemic introduced and exacerbated challenges that we expect to subdue financial market returns over the next five years.

Breakout inflation is not our top concern. Europe explores support for national champions, and the U.S. unemployment rate masks some fragility.

The Northern Trust Economics team forecasts the U.S. economy’s recovery from COVID-19.

The Fed’s strategic review added to a bevy of policy research revealed last week.

The Kansas City Fed’s annual Monetary Policy Symposium at Jackson Hole is a signature event for those of us who follow central banks. The conference typically doesn’t generate much front-page news: the subject matter is usually more technical and conceptual than a broad audience would appreciate. But 2020 is not a typical year.

The Fed’s new take on inflation was a long time coming, while Japan’s downturn drags on and U.S. housing stays strong.

The lodging industry illustrates a panoply of pandemic problems; and keeping people in their homes will be key to economic recovery.

Washington’s inaction on a fiscal deal and action on tariffs are both perplexing, while schools face complicated choices.

The Northern Trust Economics team forecasts the U.S. economy’s recovery from a record-breaking decline.

COVID-19 causes growth in government debt, liability risks, and stress for women.

How will our lives change during and after the pandemic? Let’s start with a look at education, medicine, automation, broadband access, city living and cash.

Gold has been on a tear over the last year, rising 32% while global equities have languished. A common objective of gold is to hedge against some type of risk. This paper shows how gold can reduce downside risk during big down markets, but isn’t the most effective inflation hedge.

The U.S. and EU deliberate how to disburse aid, China’s recovery carries risks, and U.S. mortgage rates find a floor.

Automatic stabilizers prevented an economic breakdown, while trains are running empty and money stays parked.

The first wave of the economic recovery has generally exceeded expectations, but the recent surges in COVID-19 cases could deliver a setback.

COVID-19’s path is evident everywhere we look: spending, saving, staffing, sentiment, and sports.

The journey to a full recovery will be a long one, but at least we’ve taken some initial steps.

The challenges keep mounting for global trade, unemployed workers, and banks.

More infections lead to more worry, while the commercial real estate and tourism sectors are put to the test.

Banks undergo a true stress test, smartphones measure movement, and poverty may rise.

Why did unemployment fall? Why is Brexit proceeding? And why did so much food go to waste?

Economic data shows mild improvement, but the road to recovery will be a long one.

Economic factors are motivating recent protests and changes to supply chains.

Faster actions are better in fiscal policy, but that’s not the case for China’s foreign policy.

The pandemic is putting universities and their graduates to the test.

Major economies are easing restrictions to reboot economic activity. Unfortunately, they are faced with a difficult tradeoff between lives and livelihoods.

The absence of a “V-shaped” recovery means trouble for policy makers, mortgage finance, and emerging markets.

The Northern Trust Economics team gives a perspective on a tough outlook for U.S. growth and employment this year.

Will inflation soar? Will monetary policies work as intended, and what precedent are they setting?

China’s recovery and Mexico’s policy choices can be questioned, but the automotive sector’s slump is not in doubt.

SMEs and oil are feeling the demand decline, leading to calls for reopening businesses.

Using low volatility strategies to lower risk and capture alpha.

Policy measures to aid financial markets and labor forces through the crisis are wide-ranging.

Economic activity is expected to recover in the second half of the year, but the shocks in some parts of the world could last for longer.

Economic activity descended in an elevator and will climb back up on the stairs.

Economic data will reveal an incredible downturn.

Many consumers entered the crisis with no cushion.

Decisive measures taken today should help to keep the crisis from causing prolonged damage.

Relief efforts measured in trillions of dollars are bound to have some positive effect.

Growing policy responses reflect greater estimates of the costs of COVID-19.

Growing policy responses reflect greater estimates of the costs of COVID-19.

Substantial fiscal policy is the best economic prescription for COVID-19.

Economic news will get worse before it gets better, but we expect the U.S. economy to pull through.

Can policymakers minimize economic disruptions from COVID-19?

We’ve been closely watching developments related to COVID-19 for the past several weeks. While we have hesitated to make significant changes to our outlook until evidence is clearer, we now expect the economic damage done by the outbreak will be more significant than initially thought.

The coronavirus outbreak is sending ripples through global supply chains and disrupting businesses.

The U.S. economy has been resilient in the face of uncertainty, but risks are growing.

A deep dive into the factors that brought inflation down and are keeping it low.

The U.S. Census is a vital research tool; the coronavirus is a vital risk.

Phase One: A limited deal is better than none.
Inequality: We can’t manage what we can’t measure.
Canada: Taking the lead with fiscal policy.

A strong economy will help U.S. consumers meet their financial resolutions in the new year, while residents of France and Australia have bigger worries.

Tensions between Iran and the United States brings a stressful start to 2020.

Continued modest global growth in 2020 may be the best we can hope for.

Rates were unpredictable, central banks were active, trade was volatile but consumers were undaunted. We reflect on the major economic trends of 2019.

Brexit and trade talks provided lots of uncertainty this year. Last week saw progress on both fronts.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Rate cuts and overnight operations were important developments this year. Where will the Fed go from here?

From freight volume to flight delays and real estate to recession risk, we share quick thoughts on a variety of economic subjects.

Overloaded with infinite choices when investing in small caps? Join us to cut through the noise and learn how to determine which fund is the best fit for your client’s portfolio.

In this session, veteran portfolio manager, Robert Bergson, CFA will draw on his own investment strategies to walk you through the importance of small cap value in today’s uncertain market and his approach to the small cap universe.

You will learn:

• Why small caps make sense in uncertain market environments
• Ways to improve the efficiency of your small cap allocations
• How to separate good/compensated risks and bad/uncompensated risks within small cap stocks

In the bond market, staying positive is easier said than done.

China’s economy is slowing by any measure, while Australia’s central bank takes rates to record lows.

Growth Prospects and Challenges Ahead for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, China, and Japan.

Wealth taxes are politically resonant but difficult to enact. Oil prices are steady despite disruptions, while the EU’s food exports face tariffs.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

This week’s Fed meeting started a pause in overnight rate cuts. But what will happen if yields on the long end move up?

Are the latest Brexit and GSE proposals the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?

Deep U.S.-China divisions make a ‘phased’ deal our best hope for trade progress.

Exploring the survey that is the current cause for concern.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Testing times for relations in this challenging epoch.

October will be a telling month for Brexit, the eurozone economy and the U.S.-China trade war.

• Automation will squeeze the middle of the labor market.
• Overnight lending markets are finding their equilibrium.
• Japan planned its tax increase to minimize disruption.

Climate change is a risk for the global economy.

Fed is set to ease, ECB eases and mortgage refinancing takes off.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

What fueled the rise in U.S. employment, and can we sustain it?

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its growth outlook for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, Japan and China.

Global trade tensions are taking their toll, leaving Europe struggling for solutions.

Unrest in Hong Kong and limitations of monetary policy have no easy solutions.

U.S. consumer confidence is high, but confidence in China’s economic measurements is not.

What shifts from tariffs to currency mean in the US-China trade war.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Change can threaten, but it can create opportunity if we adapt.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its growth outlook for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, Japan and China.

This week the economics team discusses: Surveying fiscal conditions as the FOMC prepares to meet; Japan gets aggressive in trade with South Korea; and One less fiscal worry for the U.S.

Demand for cars is both slowing and shifting. How will automakers adapt?

The decade of the 1990s in India was an era of rapid change. The sudden rise of new choices and shifts in consumer preferences was stunning, in hindsight.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Talks are back on, but success is far from assured.

A change to global uncertainty will require a concrete settlement of key issues . While downside risks to the global outlook have not increased, they haven’t declined, either.

Trade tensions are felt around the world. Cautious central banks and flat yields don't stop a rally in equities. And more observations from a busy half year.

The march of demographics may be slow, but it is sure. And while the consequences of aging may seem far off into the future, they will be substantial. Unless we address them now, they will become much less manageable later.

How much longer can the Fed stay patient? We see a change coming.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

China and Mexico thought they made progress toward U.S. trade deals. No longer.

The sudden escalation of trade tensions that have originated from Washington is casting doubt over the outlook. If the escalation continues, the global economy will continue to decelerate and recession risks will rise.

Europeans went to the polls, and the results reveal continental divisions. U.S. businesses’ patience for tariffs won’t last. And what do tariffs do to prices?

Productivity growth is vital to the economy and for our well-being. We take a look at recent and long-run trends, marvel at the progress of artificial intelligence, and explore diverging growth among nations.

What’s next for trade talks with China and the U.S.?, Emerging markets face the middle-income trap, CECL provides more insurance for the financial system.

Many factors are holding down inflation, U.S. jobs growth continues to surprise and China’s bad loans are getting worse.

Rumors of a contraction to start the year were overblown. Since March, a string of positive economic headlines have helped soothe investor sentiment and maintain economic momentum. We are still in a growth cycle with room to run.

Wie Gehts mit Deutschland?; Jump-Starting U.S. Startups; Big Data Is Changing Inflation

The economic slowdown that began in late 2018 has started to stabilize. Trade tensions and policy uncertainty took a toll on confidence and financial markets late last year, but both seem less threatening today. Financial conditions have eased as major central banks maintain a fairly accommodative stance amid a subdued inflation outlook.

We expect the USMCA to be ratified eventually. But it could take longer than anticipated, and the political environment across North America creates substantial uncertainty.

Today’s government finances add to tomorrow’s problems; The strong U.S. dollar is a mixed blessing; Prisons are expensive for both taxpayers and inmates

The proposed nominations of Stephen Moore and Herman Cain to the board of governors threaten to compromise the Fed’s strong character. Both have been major fundraisers for the president, and both have pledged to use their posts on the Board to support the White House program. They seem intent on bringing a political agenda into a forum that tries to operate without one.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Despite its name, MMT is not modern. It is the latest iteration of the idea of monetizing the debt, relying on a central bank to create demand for a country’s bonds. The Bank of Japan routinely buys all Japanese government bonds on the open market, keeping borrowing costs near zero despite a massive government debt. Japan has not imploded under this debt burden, but it has stagnated. Government intervention reduced a crisis, but did not unlock growth.

Northern Trust’s Economic Research team shares its monthly perspective on the growth prospects and challenges ahead for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, China, and Japan.

The Expansion’s Endgame?; Latin America: Caught In The Middle; What The Yield Curve Is (And Isn’t) Telling Us

Brexit May-hem; Is the Dot Plot Shot?; Getting Kids to Finish College

A New Normal For The Fed Balance Sheet; How Tariffs Work…and Don't Work; The ECB Goes Back To The TLTRO Well

The Northern Trust Economics team shares our view on growth, inflation, unemployment, and interest rates.

I was born too early to benefit much from Sesame Street, but I still loved The Muppets. Kermit the Frog was my favorite character; alternatively in full control and overwhelmed, Kermit struggled to make sense of the nonsensical. To this day, there are times that I feel confronted with the same challenge.

The U.S. economy has shifted into a lower gear, growth has been falling in the Eurozone, Brexit is festering and China is feeling the heat from internal imbalances and an elevated trade spat with the U.S.

Amazon HQ2 shows the limits of local economic development incentives; China and the U.S. break through a wall in negotiations; and The Fed ponders new approaches to inflation targeting

GSE reform is in sight, China’s stimulus falls short, and bank mergers are back.

The Economics team explores a smooth economic slowdown, elevated consumer confidence, and troubles in Italy.

The U.S. economy is finding its rhythm after an uncertain start to the year.

As we enter tax season, we explore the collection and use of individual income taxes.

Northern Trust’s Economic Research team shares its monthly perspective on the growth prospects and challenges ahead for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, China, and Japan.

Central banks face a difficult year. Eurozone economies are slowing. And the U.S. government shutdown can’t be ignored.

Weakness in the Chinese economy is becoming clearer, while the way forward for Brexit is anything but clear. And what exactly does "tighter financial conditions" mean?

Markets struggle to price new risks, and the U.S. government shutdown grows in severity.

The U.S. economy will overcome risks and continue to grow in 2019.

Major economies are positioned to keep growing in the year ahead, but risks are mounting.

Six themes emerge as we look back on a busy year of economic news.

Several years into the recovery from the global economic crisis, the jobs of central banks have only become more difficult. How are indebtedness, inequality, inflation and instability contributing to their problems, and what can we expect from future interest rate decisions?

Economic growth will continue, even in volatile markets.

Private, public and international pension plans are all due for a reckoning.

The global economy looks set to move into a lower gear as both advanced and emerging economies will find it hard to extend their recent robust economic performance into 2019.

Senior Economist Ryan Boyle looks at how America accumulated so many student loans, and how best to deal with them going forward.

Dramatic events surrounding Brexit left Theresa May’s government balancing on a precipice. What are the economic implications? Later in the column, we examine U.S. drug prices and possible solutions to exploding costs.

The World Trade Organization plays a crucial role in global trade. How essential is it, and what can we expect as trade tensions rise?

How will the results of the U.S. midterm elections be reflected in trade agreements, legislation and international relations?

With unemployment low and wages rising as we enter the holiday season, consumer spending will continue to lead economic growth.

This week, we evaluate the potential near-term futures of nationalism, inflation, demographic shifts, emerging markets and the effects of prosperity. What trends can we expect to encounter?

Is the International Monetary Fund a useful tool in preventing economic dysfunction? Or, as the nationalists claim, are there more appropriate uses of capital?

With USMCA and Brexit negotiations, nations are reworking the world’s most fundamental trade agreements. How will these new treaties affect global relations?

What do a Nobel Prize, oil prices and employee compensation have in common? Change. The Nobel committee tipped its hat to the importance of recognizing climate change with its prize for Economic Sciences. But changes in oil’s global role and compensation vs. wages are also on our minds

Long-term bond yields are rising amid positive economic data and rising inflation.

Both the U.S. state of Illinois and the nation of Brazil suffer from fiscal deficits that have been years in the making. How can these trends be reversed, and will the upcoming elections for each government contribute to a solution?

Until this year, the global economy had been characterized by three years of strong, synchronized growth with subdued inflation—the “not too hot, not too cold” characteristics of a “Goldilocks” economy. Though global growth is still relatively resilient, inflation risk is clearly on the rise, driven by high commodity prices and tight labor markets.

This week, we look back at EU's recovery from the global financial crisis and the new normal of the US housing market. They have both recovered, but are we on the right path?

This week, the team looks at what’s ahead for the Fed

Reflecting on ten years since the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy: Households have reduced their borrowing, but governments haven’t. Debates over the response to the financial crisis may never end. Non-bank lenders have thrived while managing their risks.

In the span of human history, retirement is a fairly new idea. Only a few generations ago, most of our ancestors could expect to work until the end of their lives. We are happy to report this is no longer the case. Improving longevity brings the opportunity for retirement, but also the responsibility for preparing. Unfortunately, many Americans have not handled this responsibility very well at all.

Northern Trust’s Economic Research team shares its monthly perspective on the growth prospects and challenges ahead for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, China, and Japan.

The Federal Reserve recently conducted its annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Prominent on the agenda were discussions of inflation, or the lack thereof. Many central banks around the world have inflation targets, and have been frustrated by their inability to reach them.

Infrastructure investment promises are politically popular, but actual funding has been slow to follow. Italy’s bridge collapse illustrates the real risks of putting off infrastructure projects. The shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. is driving inflation, and this labor market gap looks likely to last.

This week, the NT Economic team covers the following topics:
- Turkey’s Troubles
- Should countries try to control capital?
- Labor markets work best when there are no guarantees

The economic team looks at the possibility of a bad Brexit.

The U.S. economy is going through a hot summer, but will cool off later this year.

The Northern Trust economics team explores India, recaps revisions to U.S. economic measurements, and gauges potential future economic growth.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its monthly perspective on the growth prospects and challenges ahead for key markets.

The Northern Trust Economics team tracks China’s fiscal policies and exchange rate volatility, and reacts to recent comments that undermine the Fed’s independence

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook on the Fed’s balance sheet, the world's persistent preference for cash, and the challenge of measuring the gig economy.

The Northern Trust economics team explores agriculture markets globally and in the United States.

The Northern Trust economics team shares its outlook for US economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

The Northern Trust Economics team addresses a variety of questions heard most often from our audiences.

The Northern Trust Economics team shares its outlook for growth, employment, inflation, and interest rates in the U.S., U.K., E.U., Japan and China.

The economics team surveys a variety of upcoming events: Mexican elections this weekend, trade battles in the coming months, and LIBOR sunsetting in the years ahead.

The economics team surveys a variety of upcoming events: Mexican elections this weekend, trade battles in the coming months, and LIBOR sunsetting in the years ahead.

China is in focus this week as the economics team considers the country’s trade practices and defaults in its bond market.

What happened at the Fed and the ECB meetings? The economics team explains.

The team illustrates the economic background behind the Korean summit meeting and profiles corporate debt.

Strong growth and employment reports affirm Northern Trust’s positive outlook for U.S. economic performance in the rest of 2018.

The Northern Trust Economics team recaps the circumstances that led to this week’s drama in Italy and investigates a slowdown in U.S. business formation.

Public debt may be growing at the expense of private debt, the Chinese bond market is opening up, and important dates for tariffs are fast approaching.

In this issue, the Economics team looks at current recession risks in the U.S. and eurozone, and explores how rising oil prices will affect U.S. consumers.

The Northern Trust economics team explores the risks of overstretched state and local governments, dramatic actions in Argentina and Turkey, and the recent difficulty of the carry trade.

The Northern Trust Economics team forecasts U.S. economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.

Oil prices are rising. We explore the causes of this recent trend and the effects it will have on markets across the world.

This week, the economics team takes a look at NAFTA, past and present.

In this issue, the Northern Trust economics team explores the challenges facing Ireland in Brexit, the continuing demand for eurozone debt, and wage growth within U.S. states.

How much debt is too much? [Carl/The Northern Trust Economics team] digests the outlook for debt across countries and levels of government, recaps the most recent outlook for the U.S. fiscal situation, and contrasts China’s current ascendance with the historical example of Japan.

Northern Trust’s economic team recaps recent economic developments and shares our monthly outlook for economic growth, inflation, employment and interest rates in the United States.

Northern Trust’s Economic Research team shares its quarterly perspective on the growth prospects and challenges ahead for the U.S., U.K., Eurozone, China, and Japan.

This issue contains a deeper look into the competitive strategies at play in the current U.S.-China tariff feud, the drivers of the recent upturn in U.S. homeownership, and the market for Japanese government bonds.

One year away from its deadline, Brexit is already shaping up to be an expensive arrangement. Strong U.S. employment makes us question the “natural rate” of unemployment. Do aging populations increase or reduce inflation? Time will tell.

In many respects, economists are a little unusual. We think in odd ways, and we arrange data into odd patterns. We find it hard to reach conclusions without significant equivocation.

We’ve written about the American steel tariffs in each of the last two weeks. But there remain some important points to make on the topic of trade.

We may come to view February 2018 as a turning point for the U.S. economy. For the first nine years of the current expansion, fiscal policy was constrained and trade policy was measured. During the past month, the two have moved with more force, raising important questions about the outlook.

The White House has announced a new set of broad tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The measure is surprising in its scope, its targets and its break from the long-prevailing trends of international trade.

This week, the White House signaled its intention to place punitive tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. Markets and analysts reacted quickly, and negatively.

U.S. fiscal policy has become unmoored, and it will be difficult to steer it safely back to shore.

I am a traditionalist when it comes to outdoor cooking: wood and charcoal are the only suitable fuels.

It is said we should be careful what we wish for, because we just might get it. Beginning late last week, stocks finally stepped back. Market declines of 5% and even 10% occur with some regularity, even in the midst of long bull intervals

For several years, the U.S. economy has produced a “Goldilocks” combination (neither too hot nor too cold) of solid growth with limited inflation. The absence of price pressures, even at very low levels of unemployment, has surprised many observers.

Given the events of a decade ago, 2018 promises to be a year filled with reminiscence. Chroniclers will recall the signs of the gathering storm: falling U.S. house prices, rising mortgage defaults and spreading institutional failures.

For more than a year, the U.S. Dollar (USD) has been losing value relative to most other currencies. When asked about this trend this week in Davos, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin seemed unconcerned, and even supportive.

Most central banks have targets, too. And judged solely by the numbers, monetary policy would be assigned a substandard rating.

We’ve been doing some de-cluttering at my house, adapting to life as empty nesters. During a review of some long-forgotten storage bins, I found the very first tax return I ever filed. It listed income of less than $2,000, earned lifeguarding and shelving books at the campus library.

As it is for people, so it is for business cycles, which can become more vulnerable as they continue. This theory will certainly be tested in 2018. The global economy enters this year with considerable momentum and lots of policy support.

The economic news this year could scarcely have been better. Strong growth, low inflation and rising asset prices in major markets will make 2017 one of the most successful years in recent memory.

There has been no let-up to the economic news cycle this year. Even the approach of the holiday season has failed to offer a respite, with tax reform deliberations ongoing through the holidays.

Times have changed, in more ways than one. This December has been especially hectic, with the transition in Brexit negotiations, U.S. tax reform debate and Bitcoin setting new highs every few minutes.

We’re thankful for this year’s economic growth in the U.S., which has exceeded most expectations. A soft first quarter has been followed by two quarters in which real activity expanded at an annual pace exceeding 3%.

Has the stock market gotten too expensive? Overall, we would say it hasn't. But we do feel some sectors are better positioned than others.

The elimination of personal exemptions is one of many features of the tax reform proposal presently being debated in Washington. If passed, the new regime would realign the finances of industries, households and even countries.

This month's forecast follows a wave of generally positive economic data that appeared to shake off the weather-related disruptions seen throughout the summer and early fall.

The current situation in Puerto Rico cannot be fully understood without a bit of a history lesson.

As expected, this month's forecast was a little more difficult to assemble. The influence of severe storms on economic activity and economic data made it harder to discern fundamental trends.

All cultures have the challenge of balancing the past and the present. But nowhere is the contrast between the two more apparent than in the Middle East.

We would do well to heed the teaching of behavioralists as we craft solutions to some of today’s thorniest problems.

The German phrase Sturm und Drang (literally: storm and stress) describes situations that become especially dramatic. This seems an apt expression to describe both the immediate past and the near future for the United States economy.

The eurozone has been the brightest star on this year’s economic horizon. The region’s output expanded at a 2.5% pace during the second quarter and has been rising continuously for 48 consecutive months.

Pharmaceutical costs represent about 10% of total U.S. health care expenditures, or about $325 billion each year.

Supply and demand theories suggest worker scarcity would increase the price paid for labor. This has certainly been the case during recent American expansions, when annual wage gains topped 4%.

Warm temperatures prevail in most of the United States at the moment, a trend that is mirrored in recent economic data. We don't expect conditions to cool as autumn approaches.

Monetary Policy Rules: Revisited and Giving Japan Credit

Global economic activity has generally been good during the first six months of 2017. Europe’s renewed momentum has been a highlight for the developed world, and China’s steady growth has compensated for faltering elsewhere in emerging markets.

Uncertainty about U.S. fiscal policy changes persists. Tax cuts and infrastructure spending proposals are on the table, but they are unlikely to be enacted in 2017. We continue to maintain skepticism about the timing and size of the fiscal policy boost to economic growth. In the meantime, the expansion continues on, unperturbed.

Uncertainty about U.S. fiscal policy changes persists. Tax cuts and infrastructure spending proposals are on the table, but they are unlikely to be enacted in 2017. We continue to maintain skepticism about the timing and size of the fiscal policy boost to economic growth. In the meantime, the expansion continues on, unperturbed.

Seniors and their families approach this milestone with a mix of pride and trepidation. Pride arises from the achievement of heightened status within the community of educated women and men. But there is trepidation about what lies ahead at the next level.

On the surface, China continues to outperform expectations. It has sustained a high rate of economic growth for longer than most other developing countries.

In this commentary we will summarize:

• What Does It Mean To “Buy American?”
• European Populists Lost, But Their Spirit Lives On
• The ECB Is Right To Stand Pat

Incoming “soft data” and “hard data” conveyed vastly different U.S. economic conditions as the first quarter unfolded.

My timing in life is terrible. When I book a flight, cumulus clouds immediately begin plotting to cover the destination on the appointed day. When I plan a special menu for a dinner party, the supermarket runs out of a key ingredient.

Having accumulated a massive portfolio of securities during its quantitative easing (QE) program, the Fed has now arrived at a point where reduction is appropriate. But trimming the weight of monetary accommodation may not be easy.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has lost its grip on global production, with the United States (among others) rising to become a significant source of output.

U.S. political issues have dominated the economic headlines for the past month. The failure of the Republican-led House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act delays consideration of tax reform and infrastructure spending.

Over the last decade, a combination of unprecedented global financial integration and unconventional monetary policy in global financial centers created new challenges for central banks in emerging markets (EM).

The world’s major economies have performed quite well in recent months despite the influence of political and policy upheaval. Brexit and the outcome of the U.S. election have yet to produce the negative outcomes some had feared.

The effort to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was an important test for Washington. Congress had elected to take up this debate first, for both procedural and symbolic reasons.

The Federal Reserve spent a good portion of last year talking tough about raising rates, only to back away at several turns when intimidated by international uncertainty.

The outlook for the U.S. economy is nearly unchanged from expectations at the start of the year. Congress will address tax cuts and infrastructure spending only after passage of an updated health care law.

Today, it seems as if there is a mysterious voice speaking to politicians all over the world, urging them to build.

The economic setting within the United States as the new year commences is largely constructive. Data received in the latter weeks of 2016 were encouraging, and there seems to be an improving economic sentiment.

The first significant U.S. economic release of the new year was a solid one. The U.S. Department of Labor reported this morning that 156,000 new jobs had been created in December.

As the Federal Reserve prepares for its final monetary policy gathering of 2016, it will look back on a year of inactivity and look forward to a year that could very well be an active one.

The U.S. bond market has retreated since the election. Long-term yields have risen by almost 40 basis points. It appears that the 30-year-old bull market in bonds is really over.

Needless to say, the surprise victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election has changed the economic outlook on many fronts.

A mistake many in my profession have made in the past year has been underestimating the difference between overall economic performance and its translation to the fortunes of constituents. This was at the heart of the Brexit vote last June and was the driving force behind yesterday’s U.S. outcome.

At the three-quarter pole, the global economy is muddling through a disappointing 2016. Growth in developed and emerging markets continues, but at a pace that has fallen short of expectations.

There were concerns throughout the summer that U.S. economic conditions had weakened. Based on incoming reports, though, the weight of economic evidence remains positive.