ITR Economics

This week on Fed Watch, Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker examines the issue of central bank independence and what it means for today’s financial markets. She breaks down why markets have largely dismissed recent concerns about the Federal Reserve’s autonomy and explores the risks that could emerge if interest rate cuts move ahead without support from underlying economic conditions. Lauren also unpacks the inflationary implications and key market signals business leaders should be monitoring. Are you factoring these policy dynamics into your forward-looking strategy?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the global economic outlook for 2026 at a time when geopolitical uncertainty and trade policy changes are creating anxiety for business leaders. Despite the noise, key indicators point to continued global growth, though not without important shifts that could impact your strategy. Which regions are positioned to outperform, and how should businesses think about trade and supply chain risk this year? Watch to understand what matters most for planning in 2026 and beyond. What does this global growth environment mean for your business decisions?

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This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the delayed December jobs report and explains why softer hiring may not signal economic weakness, highlighting employment as a lagging indicator and the growing divide between sector winners and losers in the labor market. She also examines what the latest data means for the Federal Reserve’s rate path, why borrowing costs continue to diverge from Fed policy, and how renewed discussions around Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could influence mortgage rates, raising important questions for businesses and borrowers navigating ongoing uncertainty.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the 2026 economic outlook after a challenging 2025. Growth is returning across GDP, industrial production, and business investment, but higher labor, electricity, and tariff-related costs threaten margins. Which sectors are positioned to improve, and what should leaders focus on now to stay profitable and prepare for the 2030s?

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This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down why inflation is becoming the Fed’s dominant concern as we enter 2026. She unpacks the latest Fed meeting minutes, growing dissent within the FOMC, and what a more hawkish voting lineup could mean for interest rate policy. Lauren also explores why the U.S. consumer remains resilient, how upcoming tax refunds could provide short-term support, and why now is the time for businesses to revisit pricing strategies as CPI pressures build. What risks should business leaders be watching most closely this year?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain breaks down why inflation is expected to accelerate into 2026 and what it means for business margins, pricing strategy, and profitability. Producer costs are rising, consumer inflation is picking up, and interest rate flexibility may be limited. What should leaders be watching now, and how can organizations prepare before cost pressures intensify?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain shares a long-term economic outlook that every business leader should be planning for now. With strong GDP and Industrial Production growth expected through 2029, the real risk is not the next few years but how prepared your business will be when the downturn arrives around 2030. Learn which markets are positioned to outperform, why waiting to react is costly, and how today’s growth cycle creates rare opportunities for diversification, market share gains, and strategic acquisitions. Are you using the next four years wisely?

Click here to buy our webinar, Strategic Shifts for Resiliency in the 2030s Great Depression, here → https://hubs.la/Q03VQwhz0

December 19, 2025

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the latest U.S. jobs report and what softer headline growth is really signaling beneath the surface. She also examines why inflation remains stubbornly above the Fed’s target, what recent CPI data suggests about a turning point ahead, and how rising cost pressures could impact pricing strategies in 2026. Plus, Lauren looks ahead to GDP, business spending, and why uncertainty may finally be easing as we move into the new year. What should business leaders be preparing for now?

Click here to buy our webinar, Strategic Shifts for Resiliency in the 2030s Great Depression, here → https://hubs.la/Q03VQwhz0

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down why electricity costs are rising and how data center expansion is reshaping the economic landscape heading into 2026. As inflation pressures build and power infrastructure strains intensify, electricity is emerging as a top input cost for many businesses. Where are the risks, and where are the opportunities for growth despite higher costs?

Click here to buy our webinar, Strategic Shifts for Resiliency in the 2030s Great Depression, here → https://hubs.la/Q03VQwhz0

December 12, 2025

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker unpacks the Fed’s latest rate cut. Is the real story hiding between the lines? With committee views drifting apart and borrowing costs sticking higher than many expected, the outlook is anything but settled. Are the Fed’s inflation assumptions on track, or is the bond market seeing something they’re not? Tune in for our unbiased answers.

Click here to buy our webinar, Strategic Shifts for Resiliency in the 2030s Great Depression, here → https://hubs.la/Q03VQwhz0