U.S. Economic News
March 10, 2020
U.S. Economic Indicators
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.2 point to 104.5 in February as four components improved and six weakened. Expectations for business conditions and job openings improved, while expectations for sales, capital expenditures, and inventories declined. NFIB Report
U.S. News
James B. Stewart writes for the New York Times that the coronavirus outbreak has put the financial system under intense pressure for the first time since the last financial crisis, unmasking underlying risks as stocks drop and credit markets tighten. One major crack emerging is in risky nonbank corporate lending that swelled during the current expansion but has yet to be tested by rising defaults in a real economic downturn. NYT
The Financial Times reports that President Trump plans to propose a “major” economic relief package to alleviate the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak on the hardest-hit parts of the economy. Spending measures under consideration include a payroll tax and other measures targeted at helping hourly workers and small businesses. FT