ITR Economics

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain assesses the health of the U.S. consumer and what the latest data means for companies preparing for 2026. Consumer spending continues to rise at a pace above inflation, delinquency rates remain below financial crisis levels, and a growing share of households are paying off full credit card balances.

December 5, 2025

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down a pivotal moment for monetary policy as markets price in a likely rate cut ahead of next week’s meeting. With government data delayed by the shutdown, businesses are left navigating uncertainty and relying on less-predictive private-sector indicators. Lauren also highlights major Federal Reserve data revisions that could reshape how leaders interpret historical trends, plus new political developments that may influence future Fed leadership and independence.

If your business is interest rate sensitive, this episode offers timely context to help you prepare for rate-driven risks and opportunities. What change in policy would impact you most?

Join us for our upcoming webinar to discover the essential tools and strategies you will need → https://hubs.la/Q03VQwhz0

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Michael Feuz explains why 2026 is setting up to deliver more economic growth than 2025. He highlights the key “ingredients of growth” already in motion, from resilient consumer spending to rising B2B activity and expanding corporate cash levels. Michael also addresses a critical pain point for leaders: margin pressures that will intensify as growth accelerates.

How should businesses prepare for this next phase? Tune in for guidance on capacity planning, efficiency, and protecting the bottom line. What steps are you taking to get ready?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the latest data on US Private Nonresidential Construction and explains why the current downturn is expected to remain mild. Taylor highlights what the most reliable leading indicators are telling us and outlines when businesses should begin preparing for the next growth cycle in 2026.

November 21, 2025

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the long-delayed September employment report and explains what the unexpected strength means for the labor market and the Fed’s December meeting. Discover where job losses are emerging, why certain sector gains matter for consumer momentum, and how unusual data collection conditions during the government shutdown affected the report’s quality.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain shares an update on the US Single-Unit Housing market. While affordability remains a challenge, ITR Economics forecasts the housing market is approaching its low point in 2025, followed by growth in 2026 and 2027. Taylor breaks down where affordability is improving, which states are most affected, and why the data points to better years ahead for developers and suppliers. Are you ready for the next housing cycle?

November 14, 2025

In this week’s episode of Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down how the end of the government shutdown restores critical economic data that the Federal Reserve needs before its December meeting. With mixed signals from policymakers and uncertainty around future rate cuts, how will this renewed data clarity shape monetary policy?

Lauren also tackles one of today’s biggest economic questions: Is AI transforming the labor market as much as we think? She highlights new insights from a Yale study showing that while AI boosts productivity, its impact remains gradual — not revolutionary.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain provides an update on the US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index. After record highs earlier this year, uncertainty has been cut in half, setting the stage for accelerating growth in both CAPEX and Industrial Production. Taylor explains why this shift supports ITR Economics’ positive outlook through 2026 and what it means for business leaders preparing for expansion. Are you ready to keep pace with growth?

November 7, 2025

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker discusses the Fed’s latest policy shift, ending quantitative tightening, and what it means for future rate cuts. She also discusses the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, and its uneven impact on consumers and GDP. Plus, Lauren examines the Supreme Court’s review of Trump-era tariffs and what to watch as pricing effects unfold over time.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain revisits ITR Economics’ long-standing forecast of a 2030s depression and outlines how businesses can prepare today. Taylor reveals which U.S. states are best positioned for success and which face greater risk based on ten key economic and demographic factors. Learn where your organization may find opportunity as the next decade approaches.