Most Distorted Labor Market Ever: Charts by Sector by Wolf Richter • Sep 8, 2021 • 197 Comments Job openings spiked to record 11.7 million, while 12.1 million people still claimed unemployment benefits.
New Vehicle Sales Plunged Further in August amid Inventory Shortages & Production Cuts: Chip Shortage Wreaks Havoc by Wolf Richter • Sep 7, 2021 • 134 Comments The average transaction price for new vehicles spikes to $41,000.
Bank of Japan Ends its Massive QE that Started when Abenomics Became Economic Religion of Japan by Wolf Richter • Sep 7, 2021 • 85 Comments One of the largest central banks ends QE. End of an era for Japan: Large-scale money printing was one of the three official legs of Abenomics.
“Debt Ceiling Farce 2021”: Treasury General Account Plunges. Let’s See How Close to Zero Congress Will Let it Get this Time by Wolf Richter • Sep 5, 2021 • 208 Comments At the current rate of outflows, the out-of-money date is in mid-October. “Extraordinary measures” might extend it into November.
In States that Ended the Extra $300/Week Unemployment Benefits, People Returned to Work at Over Twice the Rate than in the Other States: Data from the Labor Department by Wolf Richter • Sep 2, 2021 • 225 Comments Data about the “Labor Shortage” pile up.
The Monstrous Flow of Free Money and the Shortages by Wolf Richter • Sep 2, 2021 • 142 Comments Free money destroyed the pricing mechanism, and demand has soared despite much higher prices.
Semiconductor Shortages amid Record Semiconductor Sales? It’s a Mess Out There by Wolf Richter • Aug 30, 2021 • 138 Comments The explosion of demand that cannot be filled in the most monstrously overstimulated economy and markets ever.
THE WOLF STREET REPORT: Free Money and the Shortages by Wolf Richter • Aug 29, 2021 • 151 Comments Enough consumers, flush with free money, suddenly eager to pay those high prices, particularly for big-ticket items they didn’t have to buy. Magic Mix.
Port Congestion, Spiking Container Rates, Backlogs, Chaos: The Peak Shipping Season from Hell is Here by Wolf Richter • Aug 28, 2021 • 98 Comments Getting ready for the holiday selling season.
Flush with Free Money, Americans Spent Heroic Amounts, but Inflation Ate it Up by Wolf Richter • Aug 28, 2021 • 151 Comments Pay More, Get Less. Spending on durable goods after inflation down 10% from historic spike. But services surged, pointing to next source of inflation.
