EXCHANGE CORNER

Equities excel and central banks curb volatility By Blu Putnam, Chief Economist & Erik Norland, Senior Economist, CME Group Equities Excel in November Investments moving into domestic stocks on sector rotation. Russell 2000 a target of the shift amid optimism over economy. Janet Yellen’s nomination as Treasury Secretary bolsters stocks. Expectations for fiscal stimulus to … Read More

Oil: At the crossroads of supply and demand By Erik Norland, Senior Economist, CME Group Oil: Supply-Demand Dynamics as Vaccines Emerge Growth in US, Europe, and Japan lag pre-pandemic levels; China improves. Oil demand could rebound as vaccines become available, boost travel. Fiscal support is needed to bolster consumer spending in 2021. Could escalating COVID-19 cases … Read More

Six areas of impact with a COVID-19 vaccine By Blu Putnam, Chief Economist, CME Group What a Vaccine Could Mean for 2021 Downtown business districts might face headwinds post-pandemic. Vaccines could unleash pent-up consumer demand for travel. Commuter rail, transit systems might need financial assistance. Could fresh fiscal and monetary initiatives stir dormant inflation? Read … Read More

Bracing for La Niña and perception of risk dissipates in equities By Blu Putnam, Chief Economist & Erik Norland, Senior Economist, CME Group Bracing for the Onset of La Niña La Niña could impact crop weather in US, Brazil, and Canada. Greater risk of flooding in Australia, likely more typhoons in China. La Niña tends … Read More

Spotlight on labor’s finances and muted inflation By Blu Putnam, Chief Economist & Erik Norland, Senior Economist, CME Group Inflation Conundrum US inflation rate has hovered at around 2% since 1994. Massive quantitative easing since 2008 has failed to stoke inflation. Traditional premium in Treasuries over inflation rate has evaporated. Could quantitative easing during pandemic … Read More