ITR Economics

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker examines the economic implications of the 2026 midterm elections and whether a shift in political power can meaningfully bring down inflation. With affordability remaining a major concern for consumers and businesses, what does the election outcome mean for inflation forecasts and economic planning? Lauren explains why persistent pressures from energy prices, housing costs, wages, and AI infrastructure investment may prove difficult to reverse. She also breaks down the latest jobs report, including 165,000 jobs added, unemployment falling to 4.1%, and earnings growth struggling to keep pace with inflation. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

This week on TrendsTalk, a slower industrial economy could make it harder for businesses to grow while rising costs put pressure on margins. Taylor St. Germain and ITR economist Daniel Doderer discuss the 2027 outlook, including which markets may outperform and where legacy manufacturing could face greater challenges. They also explain why top-line growth may not tell the full story when wages, input costs, and electricity expenses are rising. For business leaders, the key questions are where to focus resources, how to gain market share, and how to protect profitability. Which parts of your business are best positioned for the year ahead? Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the Federal Reserve's latest decision to hold interest rates steady, even as persistent inflation raises the possibility of another rate hike in December. With September PCE inflation at 3.6% and two Fed officials voting to raise rates, what does the latest decision signal for borrowing costs and business planning heading into 2027? Lauren also examines stronger-than-expected GDP growth, resilient consumer spending, and a surprising 20.9% increase in equipment investment. Could another interest rate hike be coming sooner than businesses expect? Watch this week's episode for Lauren's analysis of the economic data shaping the Fed's next move. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

This week on TrendsTalk, why could labor costs remain a challenge for businesses even as employment growth slows? With wage pressures continuing and skilled workers in short supply, understanding the 2027 labor market outlook is critical for protecting profitability and planning for growth. ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain is joined by Tara Bayke to examine the latest employment forecasts, regional wage trends, and the growing divide between white-collar layoffs and blue-collar labor shortages. They also discuss why retaining key employees and adjusting compensation strategies could become increasingly important as businesses prepare for 2027 and the growth opportunities ahead in 2028 and 2029. Is your business prepared for another year of elevated labor costs? Subscribe to TrendsTalk for weekly economic insights and forecasts from ITR Economics. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker examines why the Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its October meeting, even as markets anticipate another rate hike in December and further increases into 2027. What could continued rate hikes mean for borrowing costs, business investment, and economic planning? Lauren explores the Fed's interest rate outlook, elevated Treasury yields, and persistent inflation pressures. She also explains how AI data center construction, rising electricity costs, and housing affordability challenges are complicating the inflation picture. With inflation potentially remaining above the Fed's 2% target, what should businesses be watching as the Federal Reserve prepares for its next decision? Watch this week's Fed Watch for insight into the economic trends shaping interest rates and the business outlook. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0