U.S. Economic News
February 8, 2018
U.S. Economic Indicators
Initial jobless claims decreased 9,000 to 221,000 last week. The four-week moving average fell 10,000 to 224,500. DOL Report
U.S. News
The Wall Street Journal reports that despite the recent turmoil in financial markets, Fed officials are standing by their expectations of three rate hikes this year. Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan also said that he believes it is healthy that there has been some correction and more volatility in financial markets. WSJ
According to the Financial Times, the U.S. Senate has agreed to a bipartisan budget deal that would keep the federal government funded for two years if it were to become law. The agreement would lift the spending caps for both defense and non-defense discretionary spending, but has received significant opposition from members of Congress who are concerned with exploding budget deficits and worsening federal debt. FT