Home Logon FTA Investment Managers Blog Subscribe About Us Contact Us

Search by Ticker, Keyword or CUSIP       
 
 

Blog Home
   Brian Wesbury
Chief Economist
 
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
   Bob Stein
Deputy Chief Economist
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
 
  Personal Income Rose 0.2% in August
Posted Under: Data Watch • Employment • GDP • Government • Inflation • Fed Reserve • Interest Rates • Spending • COVID-19
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 
Implications:  Both income and spending rose in August, as the data show the economy returning to the fundamental drivers of activity, and away from the temporary stimulus boosters that could never be relied on for long-term growth.  While government transfer payments continued to add to income in August, it was private sector wages and salaries that led growth, up 0.5% on the month.  On September 6th, the two programs providing additional unemployment benefits – Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – expired nationally.  These two programs, which expanded access beyond traditional state-level jobless benefits, had more than eight million recipients come expiration day.  While these benefits, plus tax rebates, caused a surge in income in 2020 even as people lost jobs, the expiration of benefits will likely put temporary downward pressure on income in the months ahead.  The key question through the remainder of 2021 is how quickly people return to work (for more on this topic, check out this week's Monday Morning Outlook).  With the August increase, private-sector wages and salaries are up a massive 10.8% in the past year, but, more importantly, also stand 6.7% above pre-COVID levels.  It was always going to take getting back to normal – getting back to work – to fully recover from the wounds of 2020; stimulus was (and remains) simply an opioid to hide the pain until the real healing could take place.  Following income higher in August, spending rose 0.8%.  With spending rising at a faster pace than income, the saving rate declined to 9.4%, but remains above pre-COVID levels.  On the inflation front, PCE prices grew 0.4% in August, and are up 4.3% from a year ago.  Core prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.3% in August and are up 3.6% from a year ago.  While the massive impact of shutdowns last year muddies the inflation picture, a look at price pressures over the past six months (which reduces the "base effect" impact), shows an even more profound rise in inflation, with overall PCE prices up at a 6.2% annualized rate.  In other words, inflation also reflects the loose stance of monetary policy in addition to the imbalance in supply and demand.  Since February 2020 (pre-COVID), PCE prices are up at a 3.1% annual rate, which is above the Fed's 2.0% long-term target.  Barring a disaster of an employment report next Friday, we expect the Fed will announce the start to asset purchase tapering at the meeting in early November.

Click here for a PDF version
Posted on Friday, October 1, 2021 @ 12:04 PM • Post Link Print this post Printer Friendly

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
Search Posts
 PREVIOUS POSTS
Recovery Tracker 10/1/2021
COVID-19 Tracker 10/1/2021
Real GDP Growth in Q2 Was Revised Up to a 6.7% Annual Rate
New Orders for Durable Goods Rose 1.8% in August
Less Government, More Employment
New Single-Family Home Sales Increased 1.5% in August
COVID-19 Tracker 9/24/2021
Recovery Tracker 9/23/2021
Fed Set to Announce Taper in November
Existing Home Sales Declined 2.0% in August
Archive
Skip Navigation Links.
Expand 20242024
Expand 20232023
Expand 20222022
Expand 20212021
Expand 20202020
Expand 20192019
Expand 20182018
Expand 20172017
Expand 20162016
Expand 20152015
Expand 20142014
Expand 20132013
Expand 20122012
Expand 20112011
Expand 20102010

Search by Topic
Skip Navigation Links.

 
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
Follow First Trust:  
First Trust Portfolios L.P.  Member SIPC and FINRA. (Form CRS)   •  First Trust Advisors L.P. (Form CRS)
Home |  Important Legal Information |  Privacy Policy |  California Privacy Policy |  Business Continuity Plan |  FINRA BrokerCheck
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.