Labour market
Lower-income households feel worst of Covid-19 economic shock – Fed survey
Nearly 40% of low-earning households faced at least one job loss in March, survey finds
Economists race to merge epidemiology and macro
Promising results are emerging, but workable forecasts may be some way off
Scale of Covid-19 impact shows up starkly in US stats
All of the US’s key macroeconomic indicators point to a dramatic slump
Fed set to adopt ‘elements’ of price-level targeting
Covid-19 could act as a catalyst for a Janet Yellen-supported Fed move to adopt elements of price-level targeting. But questions remain about the timing of such a move
ECB research finds Phillips curve still matters
Underlying relations are complicated, but slack and expectations still drive prices, economists say
Pandemics can depress natural rates for multiple decades – SF Fed
Real wages tend to rise gradually for 30 years after pandemics, data stretching back to 1340s shows
Women affected more by job losses in US lockdown – Kansas Fed
Roughly 60% of job losses were to women in the first half of March, researchers find
Covid-19 macro effects could last 40 years – research
Research from University of California says natural rate could take decades to return to normal
16% of US jobs in high-risk sectors – Brookings research
Researchers examine possible impact of coronavirus on US sectors and metropolitan areas
US economy could face largest quarterly contraction in history – Bullard
$2.5 trillion in national income might be wiped out, St Louis Fed president says; Congressional leaders agree $2 trillion stimulus package
US health system likely to be overwhelmed – Minneapolis Fed paper
Policy-makers must support massive healthcare investment and severe social distancing – researcher
Do low rates spur investment?
Many believe low interest rates spur investment, but there appears to be little hard evidence to support such claims, writes former IMF head Jacques de Larosière
Lifetime achievement award: Otmar Issing
The architect of the euro’s monetary operating framework is still playing an important role in shaping the debate on monetary policy
Fed leaves monetary stance unchanged but tweaks IOER
FOMC also announces updated plans on its balance sheet and repo market interventions
RBNZ economists look to improve GDP statistics
“GDPplus” has several advantages over standard GDP statistics, authors say
Lesotho cuts interest rates to 6.25%
Central bank reduces rates and lowers reserves target on back of weaker domestic outlook
BoE officials hint at willingness to cut rates
Carney, Saunders and Vlieghe all signal cut may be needed, as UK growth and inflation disappoint
Trump’s tax cuts boosted growth and jobs – Dallas Fed paper
Researcher uses state-level data on tax cuts to estimate national impact
Macroeconomics is not broken
The discipline has moved beyond the neoclassical synthesis. Critics should too
BoE holds rate, but two officials vote for cut
Policy-makers note gloomy backdrop and signs that the labour market is “loosening”
FOMC calls halt to cutting cycle
Unanimous decision keeps rates on hold; Powell signals no move likely for some time
T&T governor calls for productivity reforms
Alvin Hilaire says improvement still required despite recent increase in productivity
Powell calls on lawmakers to help sustain record-long expansion
The right policies can help build on economic gains, Powell said
US growth trend could fall for the next 10 years, SF Fed paper warns
Productivity slowdown in construction has contributed 30% of slowdown since 1950s, researchers find