U.S. consumer spending increased slightly in September by 0.6%, a tell-tale sign that the economy remains in the grip of a pandemic prolonged by high inflation, higher prices and supply chain shortages. Annual inflation has remained far above the modest annual rates of 2% or less for months, but falling COVID-19 infections and recovering consumer confidence might signal a pickup in economic activity throughout the end of the year.

Global stocks fall, U.S. dollar climbs on inflation worries - Reuters

U.S. Prices, Wages Rise at Fastest Pace in Decades - The Wall Street Journal

@carlquintanilla: "The market conversation will soon shift away from supply chain strains and inflation toward double-ordering, product gluts, and disinflation .." - @knowledge_vital @Reuters

American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights Sunday due to weather and staffing shortages. The airline has canceled more than 1,500 flights since Friday, highlighting the months-long struggle airlines have been facing as travel has picked up in the pandemic. With demand steadily rebounding, staff cuts from over a year ago have hampered the industry.

Australia eases international border restrictions for first time in pandemic - Reuters

@hblodget: Excellent charts from @calculatedrisk showing real-time state of US economy. Some stats: - Air travel now 82% of normal (2019) - Restaurants, hotels, gas ~90% of normal - Movies now 75% of normal - NYC subway use now 40% of normal

A Gallup Poll found 36% of U.S. employees say their employer requires all workers without a medical exception to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, a 9% increase from the same poll taken in July. Many are challenging vaccine mandates, with the Supreme Court on Friday denying a request to block a Maine rule requiring certain health care employees to be fully vaccinated.

Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates Turn Into Religious Tests at GE, Disney—Some Longer Than Others -​​ The Wall Street Journal

NYC's employee vaccine mandate is now in effect. Here's what it could mean for first responders - CNN

@toadmeister: One in six New York City public servants remain unvaccinated and are expected to be put on unpaid leave from tomorrow as the city's vaccine mandate comes into force.

Microsoft said it plans to partner with community colleges across the country to help fill 250,000 cybersecurity jobs over the next four years. Microsoft believes it can reduce the country’s workforce shortage by 50% by 2025.

Microsoft and Sega exploring strategic alliance for Azure, next-gen game development - Windows Central

Microsoft Becomes World’s Most Valuable Stock as Apple Drops - Bloomberg

The U.S. cyber workforce gap is getting bigger - The Washington Post

American’s opinions regarding the U.S. economy have become increasingly negative in the past months, with nearly half expecting economic conditions to continue to worsen in the next year, according to a new poll. Just 35% of Americans call the economy good and 65% call it poor, compared to September when 45% of Americans called the economy good.

Labor shortage, supply constraints and inflation hold back economy trying to emerge from pandemic - CNBC

Forget Q3, U.S. Economy Likely to Regain Pace in Q4: 5 Picks ​​- Zacks Investment Research

"New data show Fed's inflation debate still unresolved" - Reuters / Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, St. Louis Federal Reserve

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 10,228 media articles and blogs and 9,880 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Tuesday, November 2, at 9:30AM ET.

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