Simply Economics

German retail sales have fallen for three straight months while indications on Europe factory sector are slowing visibly, a contrast to the U.S. where vehicle sales may be rebounding and factory indications are on the rise and pointing to capacity stress. Also discussed is the latest out of Australia where faster growth is the risk.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand, in addition to targeting inflation, is adding the goal of maximizing employment and is the latest central bank to add new mandates to increase flexibility.

A new chief is the focus for China's central bank while inflation is the question for both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. And it is definitely inflation, its risk or its absence, that the results of tomorrow's FOMC will turn on.

Growth lopsided to exports may be pointing to the risk of imbalances for Europe while inflation, or the lack of it in February at least, is the focus in the U.S.

With the Italian election results along with agreement on a German government the focus is now on the ECB announcement. In Japan, leadership and when the BoJ might begin to consider unwinding its ultra-loose policy have the attention of bank watchers.

Jerome Powell's debut has increased the odds for four rate hikes this year, while weekend elections and disappointing data pose new questions for Europe and Asia.

The Fed might be worried about strengthening inflation while the ECB and Bank of Japan worry about too little.

Is U.S. inflation set to rise? And why is inflation in the UK running so strong? Our panelists offer their cross-Atlantic assessments of inflation and the outlook.

Celebrating our 100th weekly installment, panel members compare the global economy two years ago with where it is now.

GDP data and PMI surveys are showing building strength out of Europe while strength in U.S. GDP is deceptive but very significant. Yet inflation is still subdued though whether it begins to increase in line with economic growth, and whether central banks become increasingly less accommodative, are the questions for the 2018 global economy.

The Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank are making news this week as will upcoming fourth-quarter GDP reports from the U.K., the Eurozone and also the U.S. where a solid consumer-driven quarter is the forecast.

Signs of economic strength are coming from the U.S. consumer, the Canadian labor market, and are expressed in Europe by gains in the euro. And all of this strength is hinting perhaps at less accommodation this year from global central banks.

Eurozone data are increasingly positive with fourth-quarter GDP tracking at a 2.5 percent pace while 3.0 percent GDP is a safe call right now for the U.S. where manufacturing, housing, and possibly even consumer spending all show strength.

Japanese economic growth is on its best run in 29 years while the economy in Europe ended last year on an impressive note. Yet price pressures are still elusive as they are in the U.S. where inflation updates are the week's feature.

It was a good year for the economies around the world as growth in Europe and the U.S. improved while China and Japan held steady.

Capacity constraints and overheating are the risks facing the Fed, factors that are not at play in Europe where stable policy is the call.

Major sticking points over Irish borders pose new threats to Brexit, while a major tax cut for the U.S. means new stimulus at a time of full employment.

Eurozone updates are due this week for inflation and economic sentiment while the focus in Japan is consumer spending. In the U.S., advance data hint at slower fourth-quarter growth though home sales are up and consumer confidence keeps making new highs.

A rudderless government in Germany isn't a plus for the euro, while empty seats at the Fed and a raging stock market raise questions for the U.S.

Eurozone growth is on a broad upswing though wage-push inflation remains subdued, roughly in line with the U.S. though the latest inflation numbers out of Washington do hint at an upswing.

The changing membership of the Fed’s leadership and the policy outlooks for the Bank of England and Reserve Bank of Australia headline the discussion.

The Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank are stimulating their economies more so than the Bank of England or the Federal Reserve. Our panel discusses growth, employment, inflation and other factors at play.

The European Central Bank on Thursday may once again taper their quantitative easing program though the risk of a stronger euro could limit their move. In the U.S., economic data have been building steam as have tax cuts and the naming of a new Fed chair.

Inflation in the UK is alive and the first rate hike there in a decade is perhaps on its way. Inflation in the U.S. may or may not be warming up against what are mixed indications on fundamental economic strength. We also update the latest out of China and Japan.

The euro doesn't look to get any support from possible Catalan independence nor the pound from the 5th round of Brexit talks, and tumult is the description for Japanese elections where a new liberal party is threatening conservative dominance. In the U.S., it's all about wages and the risk of an inflationary flashpoint following unexpected strength in average hourly earnings.