News and Trends
Coinbase plunges along with bitcoin and the rest of crypto- CNN Business--6.22.21
Bitcoin prices are tumbling as well as shares of top cryptocurrency trading firm Coinbase Global. Coinbase has only been public for two months and so far shares are down more than 35%. 
‘Prices That We’ve Never Seen Before’: Rising Food Costs Hitting Restaurants Hard- CBS Boston--6.21.21
Many have felt the impact of increasing prices at the grocery store, but for businesses buying it bulk, the costs can really add up. Many places have had to raise prices on their menu to avoid operating at a loss.
Market volatility is back as Covid and Fed uncertainty hit sentiment- CNBC--6.21.21
Last week, the VIX spiked more than 16% to its highest point since May. Volatility has been triggered by uncertainty over central banks' plans for monetary policy and rising Covid-19 cases around the world.
Hashtag “Transitory” Inflation- Forbes--6.21.21
Another month has gone by where the market, economists and even politicians have underestimated the cost pressures in the global supply chain. Over the coming months, as more of the country and world reopen, it is likely that inventories will not have time to rebuild and costs will continue to bubble up.
Fed holds rates steady, but raises inflation expectations sharply and sees hikes in 2023- CNBC--6.16.21
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its expectations for inflation this year. However, the central bank gave no indication as to when it will begin cutting back on its aggressive bond-buying program.
Key inflation indicator records biggest jump on record- CNN Business--6.15.21
Another key inflation indicator flashed a warning sign in May. Producer priced jumped to a record amount last month, thanks to soaring demand, supply chain issues and material shortages.
Consumer prices jump 5% in May, fastest pace since the summer of 2008- CNBC--6.10.21
Consumer prices rose 5% year over year in May, the fastest pace since August 2008 and higher than Wall Street expectations. The core inflation rate, which rose 3.8%, was the sharpest increase in nearly three decades.
Are the recent cyberattacks just the tip of the iceberg? - The Hill-6.10.21
Large corporations are digital and given the complexity and interconnectivity of such operations, a rogue cyberattack can quickly spread through an organization's computer system, bringing their operations to a standstill.
Deutsche Bank warns of global ‘time bomb’ coming due to rising inflation- CNBC--6.7.21
Deutsche Bank is warning of a potential crisis coming from inflation. According to the firm's economists, "the effects could be devastating, particularly for the most vulnerable in society."
Food fears rising- Axios--6.4.21
A UN index of food prices "has reached its highest since September 2011, climbing almost 5% last month," report Bloomberg. Even in the U.S., rising prices hit the poorest Americans, who spend more than one-third of their income on food.
White House sticks by Biden's $4T spending plans despite Dimon warning on inflation- Fox Business--5.26.21
The While House is defending President Biden's sweeping $4 trillion spending plans, despite warnings from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. Dimon believes that the unprecedented levels of government stimulus could lead to runaway economic growth.
World Faces Longer Supply Shortage as China’s Factories Squeezed- Yahoo! Finance--5.26.21
Surging prices of raw materials means "margins are compressed" and with the global economic recovery still uneven, "the future is very unclear."
Rising Prices Make Food, Housing, and Transportation Less Affordable- Rogue Economics--5.26.21
Recent numbers show food, housing and transportation prices are rising at a faster rate than wages. Housing prices alone this year have jumped 24% and were driven by lower interest rates, limited supply and buyer demand.
The demise of the dollar? Reserve currencies in the era of ‘going big’ - FT--5.24.21
The IMF's latest survey of official foreign exchange reserves showed that the share of U.S. dollar reserves held by central banks fell to 59% in the fourth quarter of 2020, the lowest level in 25 years.
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