Stagflation

US Consumer Sentiment Plummets Amidst Economic Uncertainty and Government Policies

US consumer sentiment deteriorated sharply in March, a trend fueled by a confluence of factors that are eroding confidence in the economy and prompting consumers to significantly curtail spending. The uncertainty surrounding government policies, particularly concerning potential job losses due to funding cuts in crucial sectors like research, is a major contributor to this downturn. People are hesitant to make large purchases, opting instead to hoard cash and prioritize essential expenses. This is fundamentally shifting the behavior of a segment of the population that typically contributes significantly to economic activity.

This shift in consumer behavior is directly impacting the economy. When consumers, the engine of the US economy, lose confidence and pull back from non-essential spending, the overall economic health suffers.… Continue reading

Plummeting Job Growth Amidst Mass Federal Layoffs

February’s private sector job growth plummeted to 77,000, significantly lower than January’s revised 186,000 and the predicted 148,000, marking the weakest increase since July. This slowdown, coupled with concerns over rising inflation from President Trump’s tariffs and weakening consumer spending, fuels anxieties about a broader economic deceleration. While annual pay growth remained steady at 4.7%, the hiring slump suggests employers are hesitant due to prevailing economic uncertainty. This weak jobs report follows negative sentiment indicators, raising the specter of stagflation.

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