This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain shares an update on the commercial construction outlook and why the industry may have already passed its cyclical low. While the data still shows contraction, key leading indicators suggest momentum is building for growth later this year. What signals should contractors and construction suppliers be watching right now?

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This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker unpacks February’s surprising jobs report and explains why one weak headline number doesn’t necessarily signal trouble for the economy. With job losses making headlines and uncertainty lingering, many leaders are asking the same question: Is the labor market starting to crack?

Lauren breaks down what’s really behind the data, from temporary healthcare job losses to ongoing labor shortages in key industries like manufacturing and construction. She also explores why wages are still rising and what that means for inflation, interest rates, and the Federal Reserve’s next move.

For business leaders navigating slower growth and persistent inflation, the bigger risk may be something ITR calls “profitless prosperity.” What does that mean for your strategy in 2026?

Are you making decisions based on headlines, or on what the data is actually telling us?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain examines the rapid growth in electricity infrastructure and what it means for your business strategy through 2030. With data center construction in 2025 and record highs in electric power transmission and distribution production, demand for energy is reshaping industrial markets.

Rising electricity costs are adding pressure to margins and contributing to inflation in the second half of the decade. How should you position your business to capitalize on electrification growth while protecting profitability? Tune in for the data, the risks, and the long term opportunity.

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Connor Locar breaks down January’s hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index report and what it means for interest rates as we head into March. With inflation data coming in warm and money supply growth accelerating at the fastest pace in nearly four years, the likelihood of a near-term rate cut appears to be fading.

At the same time, bond yields are dipping below 4 percent, raising new questions about growth expectations and market sentiment. Add in the latest 10 percent tariff action under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, and businesses are once again facing pricing uncertainty.

If you are trying to plan capital spending, manage borrowing costs, or protect margins in an environment of persistent inflation pressure, this episode will help you frame what matters most right now. Are markets signaling confidence, or concern?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the latest labor market data and what it means for your workforce strategy in 2026. While employment growth is slowing, wage inflation remains elevated above historical norms, creating ongoing margin pressure for businesses.

We examine industry specific wage trends, regional disparities, and why a role by role and state by state approach is critical in today’s environment. As the economy positions for growth in 2026 and 2027, is now the time to act on hiring and compensation strategy?

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down a major Supreme Court decision striking down the administration’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, and what that means for inflation, business costs, and economic uncertainty ahead.

With fourth quarter GDP coming in at 1.4% and core PCE inflation rising to 3%, headlines are painting a mixed picture. Is growth really faltering? Are inflation pressures reaccelerating? And how should business leaders interpret the latest data amid shifting trade policy?

Lauren unpacks what is signal versus noise, why government shutdown effects matter, and why inflation may not fade as quickly as some hope. Most importantly, she explains why the tariff ruling does not automatically mean lower prices for businesses and consumers.

If you are navigating margin pressure, pricing strategy decisions, or concerns about profitless prosperity, this episode offers critical context.

What does this ruling really mean for your cost structure in 2026?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the downgrade to the 2026 US Single-Unit Housing Starts forecast. Despite lower mortgage rates and moderating home prices, affordability challenges remain a major headwind for builders, buyers, and industry suppliers.

Why are most states still facing income deficits when it comes to buying a home? When will meaningful recovery begin? And which regions are positioned to outperform even in a down cycle?

Tune in for the data-driven outlook and strategic insights to help you plan for 2026 and beyond. How is your region preparing for continued housing market pressure?

Stronger Jobs Report, Fed Pause Likely, and Global Concerns Rise | Fed Watch by ITR Economics

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the key economic benchmarks shaping business conditions in 2026. Industrial production, employment, capital investment, and consumer spending are all showing improvement, but growth comes with new challenges. As demand returns and competition for labor intensifies, businesses must stay disciplined on margins to win in this cycle. Are you prepared for what the second half of 2026 may bring?

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Connor Lokar steps in to unpack how markets are responding to the Fed Chair announcement and what the latest data means for rates, inflation, and demand. With bond yields holding steady and PMI surging to a multi-year high, a key business pain point remains front and center: meaningful rate relief still looks elusive. Connor explains why stable yields do not signal coming cuts, how rising new orders point to renewed demand pressure, and why the housing market faces a longer recovery timeline than many expect.

What do these signals mean for your planning as we move deeper into 2026?