Economic commentary

Timely data and commentary on employment, financial markets, consumer activity, business performance and inflation.

Visit the Advisor Advocate for detailed market and economy news.

Economic commentary

Podcast: Can anything slow down the consumer?

Nationwide's Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Senior Economist Ben Ayers discuss the state of the consumer and how strong spending could impact our recession outlook.

Economic commentary

Podcast: The Fed is still waiting for cooler inflation

March 25, 2024

Nationwide's Senior Economist Ben Ayers and Financial Market Economist Oren Klachkin discuss inflation trends and provide their analysis of February's hotter-than-expected CPI report.

Economic commentary

Farm net income projected to fall significantly in 2024

March 22, 2024

This month's issue features U.S. commodity prices, energy forecasts, and relevant industry news, including a 73-year low for cattle and calves inventory and cocoa prices surging.

Economic commentary

Commercial Insurance Client Conversation Guide on Inflation

March 8, 2024

There has been a confluence of factors increasing commercial lines costs. Get details to support conversations you may be having with commercial customers about rising costs.

Economic commentary

Strong start to 2024 pushes Fed easing farther into the year

March 6, 2024

The recent reacceleration in activity shows that the economy is not in danger of slipping into a recession soon, but restrictive monetary policy, tight bank lending conditions, and rising consumer debt still point to much weaker conditions ahead.

Economic commentary

Podcast: When could housing supply return?

February 28, 2024

Senior Economist Ben Ayers and Economist Daniel Vielhaber share the current state of the housing market and their outlook for the years ahead.

Economic commentary

H-2A job certifications climb to a record high

February 16, 2024

This month's issue features U.S. commodity prices, energy forecasts, and relevant industry news, including higher-than-expected yields cause a drop in corn and soybean prices.