Upcoming clues about the U.S. economy: Week of August 18, 2014

By | August 17, 2014

US Economic Calendar for the Week of August 18, 2014

The economic calendar provided in this article gives the days and times for this weeks key statistical releases that will contain data potentially impacting the direction interest rates and how they may move in the short and intermediate-term. Any move up or down in rates will have an impact on the mortgage and real estate market.

In fixed income, currently the 10-year Treasury note is yielding 2.34% which is the lowest level of the past year.

This recent move down in rates (see graph below) seems to indicate several things. The first is that market participants do not believe the Fed will be raising rates any time while the second is that there may be a belief that the US economy is not as strong as headline data may be suggesting.

10-year Treasury Note one year chart

In addition, given the degree of geopolitical angst in the world, part of the drop in yields could be due to a flight to quality trade as investors seek a safe haven in US government bonds.

The economic information scheduled for release will provide investors and businesses both anecdotal evidence about the direction that the US economy is heading along with actual data about its current condition.

Some of the data due to be released that will be most closely scrutinized by market participants, the Fed, politicians and investors includes housing starts, existing home sales, the Philadelphia Fed Survey and  the consumer price index or CPI that will provide a clue of inflationary pressures in the U.S..

In the upcoming week there are no scheduled speeches by any members of the Federal Reserve although impromptu comments or remarks can potentially occur at any time.

And finally, as has been the case for some time now, in addition to the economy the markets will also be closely watching geopolitical hotspots that have the potential for serious flare-ups with global implications.

Currently on the front-burner geopolitically are the following crises, some with conditions that have changed over the past week and others that remain static. It is also a list that unfortunately continues to grow:

  • How will the US and any international coalition deal with the spread of ISIS, the terrorist organization that makes al-Qaeda seem tame,
  • Israel-Hamas conflict,
  • Russia-Ukraine conflict,
  • Crisis at the US-Mexico border,
  • The Ebola breakout is off the front pages but remains active having the potential to spread,
  • All eyes will be on the transition in Iraq from the Maliki government to the one headed by new PM Haider al-Abadi.

Courtesy of Econoday this is the chart of the US economic data to be released during the week of August 18, 2014 along with scheduled speeches by members of the Federal Reserve.

The chart below also includes the upcoming treasury auction calendar!

Housing Starts
[Report][Star]
8:30 AM ET
Redbook
[Bullet
8:55 AM ET
FOMC Minutes
[Star]
2:00 PM ET
Weekly Bill Settlement

Jobless Claims
[Report][Star]
8:30 AM ET
Money Supply
[Bullet
4:30 PM ET
Equity Settlement
8-21-14
Equity Settlement
8-22-14
Equity Settlement
8-25-14
Equity Settlement
8-26-14
Equity Settlement
8-27-14

__________________________________________

Written by Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service, New York.

HAS is a provider of title insurance in New York State for residential and commercial real estate transactions specializing in the areas of New York City, Long Island and Westchester.

Remember that you have the right to choose your own title company (click here to learn more)!

If you have any questions you can reach Michael by email at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.

Chart

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.