On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Jerome Powell hosted what is widely considered to be his last meeting as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. As he stepped away from the podium at his final post-meeting press conference, he noted playfully to the media, “I won’t see you next time.” Powell’s term as chairman expires in mid-May. … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new-vehicle affordability, retail sales, and consumer sentiment. Recent data tells a story of continued resilience in the face of mounting economic pressure: improving new-vehicle affordability and strong monthly retail sales gains colliding with surging gas prices and deteriorating consumer sentiment. Bottom Line Up Front … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on credit availability, auto loan performance, and producer prices. Additional March data arrived in the past week, as the spring selling season continued to deliver, credit availability improved further and wholesale values were holding firm. At the same time, the energy shock from the Middle … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new-vehicle sales and pricing, inflation, consumer credit, personal income and spending, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). March data arrived with a split personality for the auto industry, with a healthy spring selling season colliding with the energy shock from the Middle East conflict and … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new-vehicle sales and pricing, the employment situation, retail sales, and consumer confidence. The conflict in the Middle East continues to cast a shadow over sentiment, but tax refunds continue to provide meaningful support to consumer purchasing power and automotive demand. Bottom Line Up Front … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on energy prices, benchmark interest rates and mortgages, consumer sentiment, and employment. The coming weeks will test whether tax refund dollars and continued credit availability can offset the headwinds building from energy prices and consumer uncertainty. Bottom Line Up Front The Middle East conflict is the defining economic story of … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on the Fed meeting, producer prices, vehicle affordability and the housing market. The week brought a meaningful slate of economic releases against a backdrop of rising tension in the Middle East, which is already showing up in gas prices and consumer sentiment. Even so, Manheim data suggests … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on credit availability, consumer prices, consumer sentiment, and the labor market. The week brought a meaningful slate of economic releases against a backdrop of war in the Middle East, which is already making its presence felt at the gas pump and in consumer confidence readings. … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on new vehicle sales, the labor market, consumer credit, and Manheim values. Many market metrics showed signs of strengthening in late February, likely supported by improving weather across much of the country. At the same time, rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have introduced … Continued
This edition of the Auto Market Weekly Summary includes updates on producer prices, tax refunds, consumer confidence and metrics on the housing market. Last week was a bit lighter on economic data than recent weeks. Last week started with the 2026 National Association of Business Economists (NABE) conference, three days of economic discussion and three … Continued
