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☆ Hawaiian Electric Refocuses Grid Plan on Wildfire Risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Dan Frosch | Katherine Blunt | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

An October view of Lahaina, Hawaii, which was devastated in August by a wildfire. Photo: Getty ImagesHawaiian Electric said it wasn’t sufficiently focused on wildfire risk before August’s deadly blaze on Maui and proposed nearly tripling the money it would now spend on the effort. The utility, in regulatory filings this week, said it had been more concerned with hurricanes than with wildfire risk before the Aug. 8 fire that killed 100 people and leveled the town of Lahaina. The company said it now wants to revise a plan to improve its power grid to focus more on wildfires.

Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina

☆ New home construction increased in October for second straight month
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Washington, DC CNN —The annual pace of new home construction increased again last month amid a historic shortage of housing inventory and crushing mortgage rates. Housing starts, a measure of new home construction, jumped by 1.9% in October, compared to the previous month. Starts rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.372 million last month, rising above expectations of 1.35 million, according to data released Wednesday by the Census Bureau. Building permits also ticked up in October, climbing 1.1% from August’s revised number to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.487 million. “The new construction housing market is poised to ensure that inventory is available to meet pent-up demand of households who have been waiting for a reprieve in rates before purchasing.”

Persons: ”, Kelly Mangold, Mangold Organizations: DC CNN, Housing, Census, Real Estate Consulting Locations: Washington

☆ Americans’ attitudes about the economy worsened for the fourth straight month
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington, DC CNN —Americans are becoming gloomier about the economy with interest rates at a 22-year high and economic growth widely expected to slow. That was the fourth consecutive month that sentiment soured, after improving over the summer. Meanwhile, both short-term and long-term inflation expectations worsened this month. Americans’ expectations for inflation rates in the year ahead rose to 4.4% in November, up from October’s 4.2% reading. In a worrisome sign for the Federal Reserve, long-run inflation expectations rose to 3.2% this month, the highest level since 2011.

Persons: Joanne Hsu, Jerome Powell, it’s, ” Powell, Stocks, —, Powell Organizations: DC CNN, University, Federal Reserve, Fed, International Monetary Fund Locations: Washington, Gaza, Ukraine

That is more than double the 2.1% recorded in the second quarter and a testament to the strength of consumers. But he warned that stronger than expected economic data, particularly as regards the labor market, could leave the door open to even more pressure to raise rates or keep them higher for longer. "Additional evidence of persistently above-trend growth, or that tightness in the labor market is no longer easing, could put further progress on inflation at risk and could warrant further tightening of monetary policy." Complicating matters is that the post-pandemic economy has not gone according to script where higher interest rates almost always blunt economic activity and cause a marked slowdown in the labor market. “The labor market is still adjusting, if it ever does, there’s a question whether retail will ever recover completely,” he says.

Persons: ” Sam Bullard, Wells, Jerome Powell, Powell, ”, George Calhoun, Calhoun, Bill Adams, –, speakership Organizations: Federal, Economic, of New, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of, Comerica, “ Locations: U.S, of New York, Washington, Israel

☆ China's new home prices extend declines, defying broader recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Liangping Gao | Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File PhotoNew home prices fell 0.2% month-on-month but narrowed from a 0.3% drop in August, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data. Of the 70 cities in the home price data, 54 reported declines in prices last month, up from 52 in August. New home prices in tier-three cities fell 0.3% month-on-month after a 0.4% drop in August. However, demand remained lukewarm in smaller cities struggling with excess supply while nationwide the property sector remains in a deep slump. Ma attributed the fall to the fact that Guangdong province is home to many private developers with liquidity problems.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, ”, Ma Hong, Goldman Sachs, Ma Organizations: REUTERS, National Bureau of Statistics, Zhixin Investment Research Institute Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guangdong

☆ From Russia to the Middle East: Why China can’t afford another big conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas threatens to spiral into a broader conflict that could shatter stability in the Middle East, China has called for a ceasefire while criticizing Israel’s actions. It also highlights China’s deep economic interests in both Russia and the Middle East, which it wants to safeguard at all cost. The world’s second largest economy depends on Russia and the Middle East for much of its energy needs. The Middle East is also a cornerstone in the Belt and Road Initiative. “Regional conflagration means long instability and long instability means no business for China in the Middle East,” he added.

Persons: ”, Eswar Prasad, refiners, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sergei Guneyev, Russia’s, Putin, Russia —, Wang Yi, Jean, Loup Samaan, Joe Biden, QatarEnergy, Ahmed Aboudouh, Antony Blinken, Blinken, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Moscow, Palestinian, Cornell University, Getty, Initiative, Shanghai’s Fudan University, United, China’s, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Wednesday, Jihad, Energy, China Petroleum & Chemical Co, Sinopec, Fudan University, Chatham House, US Department of State Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Ukraine, East, Palestine, Israel, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Russian, AFP, Pakistan, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Gaza, Qatar, China’s, Qatari, London, “, Persian, ”

☆ Homebuilding bounced back in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington, DC CNN —US homebuilding bounced back in September, after dropping in August to the lowest levels since 2020 as mortgage rates climbed. Building permits dropped in September, falling 4.4% from August’s revised number to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.473 million. “Builders continue constructing smaller homes using less land, and offering incentives, but to build our way out of the housing shortage we’ll need mortgage rates well below current levels,” he said. Homebuilders are becoming increasingly anxious about persistently high mortgage rates and cooling demand, she said. “To keep buyers interested, many builders have been offering upgrades or buying down mortgage rates,” she said.

Persons: US homebuilding, ”, Robert Frick, Lisa Sturtevant, “, Sturtevant Organizations: DC CNN, US, Housing, Census, Navy Federal Credit Union, “ Builders, Bright MLS Locations: Washington

Retail sales increased 0.7% in September, driven by nonstore retailers and spending at food and drinking establishments, the Census Bureau reported on Tuesday. Even after stripping out autos, as some analysts do, the increase was 0.6%, way above estimates of a 0.2% gain. As long as those trends remain positive, consumers will feel they have the wherewithal to continue shopping. “Consumer spending has been fairly flat over the last two months,” according to Bank of America Institute’s Consumer Checkpoint October report. However, the wages and salaries of higher-income households are still growing at slower rates than other income cohorts.”Many retailers will be looking to the critical holiday season for a boost in sales.

Persons: ”, Ted Rossman Organizations: Census, Bankrate.com, “, Federal Reserve, Employers, Labor Department, Bank of America, ” Bank of America, Cyber, Signifyd’s Commerce

☆ US retail sales rose in September for the sixth-straight month
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Retail sales, which are adjusted for seasonality but not inflation, grew 0.7% in September from the prior month. Factoring in September’s 0.4% rise in consumer prices, inflation-adjusted retail sales were up 0.3% last month. From a year earlier, retail sales and food services spending were up 3.8% in September, the strongest annual gain since February. Spending grew across most categories last month, with sales at specialty stores advancing the most, by 3%. Excluding sales at gasoline stations, retail sales still advanced 0.7% last month.

Persons: ”, BIll Adams, ’, Adams, US Energy Information Administration “, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab, Brian Field, Gregory Daco, ” Daco, Joe Biden, Jordan Organizations: DC CNN, Comerica Bank, headwinds, UAW, United Auto Workers, US Energy Information Administration, Hamas, University of, San Francisco Fed, “ Retail, CNN, Employers, Sensormatic Solutions, Services, OPEC Locations: Washington, Israel, Iran

☆ US consumer price inflation rose more than expected in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Consumer Price Index rose 3.7% for the 12 months ended in September, landing a touch above economists’ expectations. Food price inflation is at its lowest rate since March 2021, matching overall inflation at 3.7%. It’s the first time since early 2022 that food prices did not outpace overall inflation, CPI data shows. The monthly increase in core held steady from what was seen in August. Shelter costs accounted for 70% of the monthly increase in core.

Persons: Minneapolis CNN — Price, ” Julia Pollak, — Organizations: Minneapolis CNN —, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, CPI, Federal Locations: Minneapolis, August’s, “

☆ US wholesale inflation heated up last month amid higher gas prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Minneapolis CNN —Wholesale price increases of US goods and services jumped higher for a third consecutive month, influenced by still-high energy prices, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. September’s overall increase was driven by a 0.9% gain in goods prices due to higher energy prices and food prices, BLS data shows. Gas prices hit new yearly highs in September, as oil prices pushed past $92 a barrel amid supply cuts and catastrophic flooding in Libya. The higher gas prices seen in August and September may filter through to some products and services but shouldn’t ultimately keep inflation higher in the months to come, said Stuart Hoffman, PNC Financial Services’ senior economic adviser. However, the Israel and Hamas war in the Middle East does add volatility to energy prices, he said.

Persons: Price, ”, Gregory Daco, Jerome Powell, Chris Rupkey, FwdBonds, shouldn’t, Stuart Hoffman, ” Hoffman Organizations: Minneapolis CNN —, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, PPI, PNC Financial Services Locations: Minneapolis, August’s, Libya, Israel

☆ US economy added 336,000 jobs last month, almost twice what was expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The US economy added an estimated 336,000 jobs last month, blowing expectations out of the water, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Friday. In September, leisure and hospitality helped drive job growth higher, with 96,000 jobs added. Today’s headline jobs number — that surprising 336,000 net job gain — is an initial estimate that will be revised twice more. The surprising September jobs report, however, didn’t continue that streak. August’s second look has job growth now at 227,000 for the month, an increase of 40,000.

Persons: ”, Sung, Soh, Joe Biden, “, it’s, ” Biden, Andrew Patterson, ” Patterson, they’ve, Jim McCoy, we’re, ” Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor’s, ” Julia Pollak, didn’t, ” Diane Swonk, — CNN’s Tami Luhby Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, of Labor Statistics, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics, BLS, Federal Reserve, Dow, Nasdaq, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vanguard, Fed, Administration, Children, Families, Nationwide, Century, CNN Locations: Minneapolis, United States

Employers added only 89,000 jobs in September, well below expectations, private payroll firm ADP said on Wednesday. "We are seeing a steepening decline in jobs this month," said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report is the second to come this week on the health of the job market. On Tuesday, the Labor Department issued its report on job openings for August, with a surprising 9.6 million jobs available. While the job market has slowed in 2023, it still remains tight by historical standards.

Persons: Nela Richardson, ”, Lightcast, Rachel Sederberg, Julia Pollak, José Torres Organizations: ADP, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Interactive Brokers

☆ The private sector added just 89,000 jobs last month, far below expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Minneapolis CNN —US employers in the private sector added an estimated 89,000 jobs in September, a much lower total than expected and a potential indication of a sharp pullback in the labor market, payroll processor ADP reported Wednesday. The September tally landed well below economists’ estimates for 153,000 jobs added, as well as August’s upwardly revised total of 180,000 jobs added. While ADP’s tabulations don’t always correlate with the official federal jobs report — due out Friday — it’s sometimes viewed as a proxy for overall hiring activity, which has been gradually easing. “We’ve seen other times when we’ve had a relatively weak private sector number sandwiched between two stronger months,” Richardson said during a call with reporters. The BLS is set to release the all-important monthly jobs report for September at 8:30am ET on Friday.

Persons: ”, Nela Richardson, tabulations, it’s, We’ve, we’ve, ” Richardson, Ian Shepherdson, ” Shepherdson Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, ADP, ”, of Labor Statistics, Labor Locations: Minneapolis

☆ US job openings unexpectedly grew in August
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Minneapolis CNN —The number of job openings at US employers unexpectedly surged in August, a testament to the continued strength of the labor market, according to new data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were an estimated 9.61 million open jobs in August, according to seasonally adjusted data from the BLS’ latest monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report. That’s up from July’s upwardly revised estimate of 8.92 million openings. The consensus estimate from economists was for 8.8 million openings, according to Refinitiv. Federal Reserve officials have frequently pointed to the robust labor market, particularly the imbalance of job postings to job seekers, as a key factor in helping to lower inflation.

Persons: August’s, Julia Pollak, ZipRecruiter, ”, Christopher Rupkey, Stocks Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Labor, CNN, Federal Reserve, FwdBonds, Dow Locations: Minneapolis

Job openings unexpectedly rose in August by 690,000 in a surprise that was led by a jump in demand for workers in business services, the Labor Department reported on Tuesday. Job openings rise to 9.6 mil from 8.8 mil last month. That means analysts will wait for other data on the job market out this week to see whether the job openings report is an anomaly. The job openings data lag the other labor market reports this week by a month. On Friday, the government will release its monthly jobs report for September with analysts looking for a continued moderation in the pace of growth in employment.

Persons: “, ” Kathy Jones, Charles Schwab, ”, Geno Cutolo, Mark Hamrick, ” Hamrick, Brij Khurana, Khurana Organizations: Labor Department, Charles, Charles Schwab Center, Financial Research, Federal, Wellington Management Locations: North America

That was close, but in the end Congress found a way to avert a government shutdown. “That said, we still look for the gradual deceleration in labor market conditions to continue in the coming months,” Bullard added. Collectively, the three reports will show whether the labor market is slowing – and by just how much. The week will also reveal whether the markets have settled down following the aversion of a government shutdown and concern over rising interest rates in the wake of the Fed’s pause. “The continuation of the disinflation process suggests that the Fed may not need to hike interest rates again this cycle.”

Persons: ” Sam Bullard, “, ” Bullard, Jerome Powell – Organizations: Federal Reserve, Wells, Labor Department, Stock, BCA Research Locations: August’s, payrolls, Washington

☆ Government shutdown, labor strikes will likely weigh on US consumers’ attitudes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington, DC CNN —Americans are taking notice of a possible government shutdown and the uncertainty of ongoing labor strikes, according to the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment survey. The university’s Consumer Sentiment Index edged lower by 1.4 points in September, according to a final reading. That would mean some federal workers become furloughed and agencies operate with skeleton crews, hamstringing agencies’ ability to provide crucial government services. The ongoing United Auto Workers strike is also not expected to end soon. With so much turmoil, Americans will likely feel uneasy in the coming weeks, which could affect their spending.

Persons: ”, Joanne Hsu, There’s Organizations: DC CNN, University of Michigan’s, “, Republicans, United Auto Workers, UAW, Ford, GM, Kaiser Permanente, Commerce Department Locations: Washington, Kaiser, California , Colorado , Oregon, Washington , Virginia, Las Vegas, Reno

A widely followed gauge of future economic activity declined 0.4% in August, continuing a nearly 18-month drop, the Conference Board said on Thursday. The business organization’s Leading Economic Index is now down 3.8% over the past six months and is exhibiting all the signs that a recession is imminent. “The leading index continued to be negatively impacted in August by weak new orders, deteriorating consumer expectations of business conditions, high interest rates, and tight credit conditions. Economists have generally been surprised by the strength of the U.S. economy this year, especially the resilience of the labor market in the face of rising interest rates. However, prices are holding firm with the median price of an existing home reaching $407,100 – up 3.9% from a year ago.

Persons: ”, Justyna, Monica, Jerome Powell, “ I’ve, “ It’s Organizations: Conference, US, Board, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors Locations: U.S

☆ Fuel Prices Are Soaring. Who Is Feeling the Pinch?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Bob Henderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Inflation fell every month for a year, but in July that trend ended with housing prices rising along with the prices for oil and gas. WSJ’s Dion Rabouin digs into August’s CPI inflation report and explains what’s really happening with prices. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesRising diesel prices are inflating the bills Brett McMahon is getting from the companies that truck in the plywood, rebar and other supplies his concrete-contracting business needs. Asking his clients to renegotiate contracts to ease that pain, he said, has been “hit or miss.”

Persons: Dion Rabouin, Stefani Reynolds, Brett McMahon, ” Organizations: Agence France

☆ CNBC Daily Open: August’s CPI report isn’t as bad as it seems
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Celal Gunes | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. What you need to know todayThe bottom lineAt first glance, August's CPI report seems bad news. And gasoline prices have actually retreated 3.3% from a year ago, suggesting that they're still on a downward trend in the long run. Indeed, the annual measure of core CPI still dropped from 4.7% in July to 4.3% in August.

Persons: Celal, we've, Andrew Hunter, Lisa Sturtevant, Sturtevant, Kayla Bruun, " Bruun, Dow, —, Jeff Cox, Greg Iacurci Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Getty, CNBC, CPI, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Capital Economics, Bright MLS, Morning, Markets, 3M, Caterpillar, Nasdaq Locations: Virginia, Tesla

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Don’t worry about August’s hotter-than-expected CPI
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, was up 4.3% on the year and 0.3% on the month. Chinese developers "were able to borrow liberally from shadow banks," a researcher said, which pushed up land prices and housing costs. Read what four analysts have to say about the risks and benefits of buying Arm shares.

Persons: it's, Softbank, Elon Musk Organizations: Labor, CNBC, Dow Jones, Japan's Nikkei, Elon, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Beverly Hills , California, Asia, Pacific, China, Taiwan, Hawaii

☆ Wholesale inflation ticked up last month, exceeding expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Wholesale inflation accelerated for the second month in a row, mirroring a similar trend in the Consumer Price Index report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. The Producer Price Index, a key measure of price changes at the wholesale level, rose to 1.6% from 1.3% for the 12 months ending in August. Stripping out the more volatile categories of food and energy, core PPI rose 2.2% on an annual basis in August, in line with economists’ expectations. The PPI is a closely watched inflation gauge, since it captures average price shifts upstream of the consumer. But this week’s inflation data is unlikely to push the Fed to raise interest rates at its meeting next week.

Persons: Price, uptick, ” Raymond James ’, Eugenio Aleman Organizations: New, New York CNN, of Labor Statistics, PPI, July’s, Thursday’s PPI Locations: New York, July’s

☆ Wall Street’s mood is improving — but it’s far from upbeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Wall Street’s optimism has edged up in recent weeks after an August slump to levels not seen since the collapse of several regional banks earlier this year. CNN’s Fear & Greed Index, which tracks seven different barometers for market sentiment, has oscillated between “neutral” and “greed” territory this month after plunging to a “fear” reading mid-August. The broad-based S&P 500 index has roared 16% higher this year, propped up by Wall Street’s infatuation with artificial intelligence that’s driven a powerful rally in tech stocks. While the Fed’s policy meeting is taking place next week, there’s a laundry list of factors stoking uncertainty in the market. September has historically been the worst month for stocks, and it could live up to its reputation this year.

Persons: it’s, August’s selloff, ”, Eric Sterner, Wall, Michael Arone, Arone, Chris Isidore, “, Gary Quirk, Quirk, epitomize, Birkenstock Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, CNN, Apollon Wealth Management, Federal Reserve, Stocks, State Street Global Advisors, American, of, United Auto Workers, Stellantis, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Samsung, UAW, Wall Street, US Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Stock Exchange, Financial Locations: Kokomo , Indiana, New York, United States

☆ Car insurance rates just had their biggest annual jump in 47 years. This is why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

While that insurance is for a 2022 Porsche Taycan, even friends of his who drive lower-end models are paying more for car insurance, he told CNN. Yet he's seen his car insurance rates increase from $140 a month in 2020 to his current rate of $278 a month. Car insurance rates are increasing for a variety of reasonsTwo months ago, Nationwide notified Darnell Coates-Clark, 55, an EMT based in Baltimore, that he would be hit with a 33% increase in his car insurance. He acknowledged he doesn’t have “stellar credit,” which is known to impact car insurance rates. Darnell Coates-Clark saw his monthly car insurance rates double over the past two years.

Persons: Kyle Barone, Barone, didn’t, USAA, He’s, “, ”, hasn't, he's, haven’t, Darnell Coates, Clark, Coates, ’ ” Coates, hasn’t, Ryan Ankrom, Clark USAA, Andrew Femath, Stephen Crewdson, Hurricane Ian, Robert Passmore, Crewdson, ” Crewdson, Betsy Stella, Insurify, what’s, “ I’ve, “ I’m, I’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Volvo, CNN, Porsche Taycan, Norwegian Cruise Line, Kyle Barone Drivers, Sunshine State, Nationwide, P Global Market Intelligence, Casualty Insurance Association, National, Traffic Safety Administration Locations: New York, United States, Florida, Jacksonville , Florida, Tampa, Norwegian, Sunshine, Southwest Florida, Baltimore, Maryland, Hurricane

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