Nationwide Market Insights Nationwide Economics

Consumers are spending broadly on services this year - which is good news for the travel industry. Nationwide’s Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Senior Economist Ben Ayers provide their outlook on consumer spending, especially in terms of travel and services.

CPI was hotter again in April with higher gasoline prices and services costs. This comes on the heels of a stronger-than-expected jobs report for April which showed yet another jump in wages for workers. Nationwide economists Ben Ayers and Daniel Vielhaber discuss how the tight labor market continues to push up inflation despite the Fed’s sharp rate tightening.

May 3, 2023: The FOMC announced a 25 basis point increase in the fed funds rate in its continued effort to slow down inflation. How effective has this tightening cycle been on controlling inflation? In what ways has the overall economy been impacted? When could the Fed decide to lower rates again? Nationwide's Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Senior Economist Ben Ayers provide their analysis of today's FOMC announcement and how it could impact the overall economy.

Despite a strong start to the year for hiring and consumer spending, the economy was less resilient in the first quarter than expected. What's in store for the economy in the second quarter? Do we still expect a recession to hit later this year? Nationwide's Chief Economist, Kathy Bostjancic and Senior Economist Ben Ayers provide their perspectives on economic growth.

The bond market is again at odds with the Federal Reserve’s forecast for interest rates, placing nearly 50% odds of a rate cut at the September policy meeting as investors believe the Fed will be cutting rates as the economy falls into recession. However, the equity market continues be quite resilient in the face of rising recession headwinds. Nationwide’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Kathy Bostjancic, and Deputy Chief Economist Bryan Jordan provide their outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy and its impact on financial markets.

The consumer price index showed further signs of cooling in March, led by declining prices in grocery stores and at the gas pump. But it was not all good news as services inflation remains high and could keep some cost increases elevated for consumers into 2024. Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers shares his analysis of the March CPI report. Ben also explains supercore inflation and its impact on Fed policy. [NFM-22911AO]