Merriman Market Analyst
Free Weekly Forecast
MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 8, 2024 ©
April 5, 2024
REVIEW Jobs grew at a brisk pace in March, but wage growth was contained, confirming a belief among economists that the U.S. can continue to expand employment without fanning inflation. U.S. employers added a seasonally adjusted 303,000 jobs in March, the Labor Department reported Friday, significantly more than the 200,000...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2024 ©
March 29, 2024
REVIEW A key measure of U.S. inflation rose as expected in February, putting a spotlight on whether price growth will be cool enough this spring to justify an interest-rate cut by midyear… “It’s good to see something coming in in-line with expectations,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday… Fed...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 25, 2024 ©
March 22, 2024
REVIEW The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped on Friday, but clinched its best week of the year after back-to-back record-setting sessions….One reason for the market optimism stems from this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The central bank left rates unchanged, and commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell reinforced that cuts are...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 18, 2024 ©
March 15, 2024
REVIEW “Quiet.” “Stealthy.” “Surprising.” Gold prices are hitting record highs, and Wall Street analysts say they have been caught off guard. The precious metal is traditionally seen as a haven in times of volatility and geopolitical risk. This time, its ascent is coinciding with investor optimism about the U.S. economy,...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 11, 2024 ©
March 8, 2024
REVIEW “‘ We’re waiting to become more confident that inflation is moving sustainably at 2%. When we do get that confidence, and we’re not far from it, it’ll be appropriate to begin to dial back the level of restriction,’ Powell said in response to a question about rates and inflation....
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 4, 2024 ©
March 1, 2024
REVIEW The Nikkei stock index recorded last week its first new high in 34 years, a fitting tribute to Japan’s re-emergence as a genuinely exciting economy. It also comes amid mounting evidence that Japan has finally broken the hold of deflation. — Greg Ip, “Japan Is Back. Is Inflation the...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 26, 2024 ©
February 23, 2024
REVIEW “A whole new industry is being formed, and that’s driving our growth,” he [Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang] said on the company’s earnings call. On Wednesday, Nvidia reported quarterly sales of $22.1 billion and forecasted another $24 billion for its current quarter, each more than triple what was posted a...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 19, 2024 ©
February 16, 2024
NOTE: There not a weekly column this week, as I prepare for the Sunday (February 18th) Forecast 2024 Webinar. The Webinar will be an update on financial markets and the status of the national and world economic outlook as given in the annual book, with more of a shorter-term analysis...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 12, 2024 ©
February 9, 2024
NOTE: There will be no weekly column next week, as I will be preparing for the Sunday (February 18) MMA Worldwide Webinar on Forecast 2024. It will be an update on financial markets and the status of the national and world economic outlook as given in the annual book, with...
Read MoreMMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 5, 2024 ©
February 2, 2024
REVIEW Job growth posted a surprisingly strong increase in January, demonstrating again that the U.S. labor market is solid and poised to support broader economic growth. Nonfarm payrolls expanded by 353,000 for the month, much better than the Dow Jones estimate for 185,000. Wage growth also showed strength, as average...
Read More