Labor market expert Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton explains that the most recent tally of new unemployment claims was lower this past week. Assurance of government aid and new stimulus gave some businesses the confidence to keep their workers on payrolls. Listen.

Weekly Jobless 03112021

Labor markets expert Diane Swonk at Grant Thornton sounds optimistic about the April jobs report, to be released on May 7. Diane expects to see up to 1 million new jobs created in just that one month, matching the previous month of March. Reopening restaurants and other service businesses since the vaccination rollout is what makes the difference.

April Jobs preview

Economist Yelena Maleyev covers the housing market for my team at Grant Thornton. In this podcast, she explains why a housing boom is slowing and what to expect for the rest of the summer. Falling applications for new mortgages this week may be a hint of what's to come.

Home Sales June 2021

Retail sales rose 1.9% in September, more than twice the pace of August. Spending on vehicles, clothing and sporting goods drove the gains. But not everyone is spending. Diane Swonk explains what the K-shaped recovery means, for the haves and have-nots.

Retail Sales September

The latest weekly jobless claims tally appears to be a bit better, but as Grant Thornton Chief Economist Diane Swonk says, the dirt is in the details. Given that it was the survey week for the October employment report, it's worth going granular. Listen.

October Employment

Despite expectations for a blockbuster GDP report coming up on the third quarter, labor economist Diane Swonk explains that the many who were laid off in the wake of COVID still don't have enough to pay for basics like food and shelter unless Congress comes through with a new aid package. This is the reality that financial market participants are finally waking up to.

Economy Markets

Long-time Federal Reserve advisor Diane Swonk at Grant Thornton explains what's going on behind the scenes and what's most likely ahead for monetary policy, including more asset purchases. She can read the tea leaves clearly, even though the November FOMC meeting ended quietly and offered no obvious takeaways. Listen.

FOMC November

Pundits agree that a so-called "skinny" coronavirus aid package is all that's likely to pass in Congress with the current configuration of Republicans and Democrats. Economist and former advisor to the Congressional Budget Office  Diane Swonk has been crunching the numbers and says a more ambitious package could bring back employment one year sooner, in 2022. 
Listen.

COVID Aid Prospects

Labor market expert Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton emphasizes that looking after both the health of the economy and that of individuals is compatible, not  competitive. As the third wave of COVID infections rolls across the U.S., the stakes are high for getting policy right, Swonk explains; the impact of a serious economic downturn can leave lasting scars on families, from breadwinners to their children.

COVID Economy in depth

The number of newly jobless Americans increased to 1.3 million, counting regular unemployment insurance claims and special pandemic assistance for gig and self-employed workers. Labor market expert Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton explains how desperate households are becoming as Congress fails to agree on an aid package.

Unemployment Claims Rise

Labor economist and advisor to the Federal Reserve. Applied economics for the business world.

Macroeconomist Diane Swonk