Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 24th, 2015
May 24, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data reports were mixed. Homebuilder sentiment declined in May, but residential homebuilding was stronger than expected in April.
Some of that reflects a rebound from bad weather, but it’s also a consequence of the high level of volatility in the multifamily sector (single-family permits were higher, but not exactly booming). Consumer price inflation remained negative on a year-over-year basis (-0.2%), but core inflation rose slightly more than anticipated.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 17th, 2015
May 17, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The mid-month economic data disappointed. Retail sales were weaker than anticipated in April. Industrial production fell short of expectations. Consumer sentiment slid in the mid-May assessment.
However, weekly claims for unemployment benefits remained remarkably low. The reports on import prices and producer prices continued to show disinflationary pressures.
Real GDP for the euro area rose 0.4% q/q (a 1.7% annual rate) in the flash estimate for the first quarter. Bond yields in Europe moved higher, but seemed to meet some resistance.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 10th, 2015
May 10, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The April employment report was in line with expectations. Details suggested: 1) a rebound from March weather effects; 2) some moderation in the underlying pace of job growth (relative to the very brisk pace of 4Q14); and 3) a very gradual pace of reduction in labor market slack.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 223,000, while the weather-restrained March increase was revised down to +85,000 (from +126,000) – leaving an average monthly gain of 154,000 for March and April. The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.4%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.1%, up 2.2% year-over-year (still lackluster).
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 6th, 2015
May 6, 2015
Clarksville, TN – GDP growth slowed to a 0.2% annual rate in the advance estimate for 1Q15, reflecting a variety of restraints (weather, West Coast port delays, the strong dollar, and a contraction in energy exploration), many of which are likely to be transitional. Consumer spending rose at a 1.9% pace (vs. +4.4% in 4Q14). Business investment fell, with “mining exploration, shafts, and wells” falling at a 48.7% annual rate.
Inventories rose more than anticipated, adding 0.7 percentage point to growth. Net exports subtracted 1.3 percentage points. Personal income was flat in March, but inflation-adjusted disposable income rose at a 6.2% annual rate in 1Q15 (which is likely to support consumer spending growth in 2Q15).
APSU student Amber Kearns to serve on archeological dig in Bulgaria
April 28, 2015
Clarksville, TN – By digging into the past, Austin Peay State University student Amber Kearns said she hopes to find her future.
A double major in biology and classics, Kearns will be the first APSU student to participate in an excavation in Bulgaria at the site of the former Greek colony known as Alexandropolis.
Grammy winner Rhonda Larson to visit APSU as final Acuff Chair of Excellence of 2014-15
April 21, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The final Roy Acuff Chair of Excellence recipient of 2014-15, Grammy Award winning flutist Rhonda Larson, will bring her talents to campus for a series of lectures and master classes at Austin Peay State University the week of April 21st-28th.
During her residency, Larson will share her experiences as a performing artist, as well as offering insight and lessons to APSU and area students. Her visit to campus will conclude on Tuesday, April 28th, with a concert with the APSU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Gregory Wolynec. The event will take place at 7:30pm at the Mabry Concert Hall, on the campus of APSU.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 1st, 2015
March 1, 2015
Clarksville, TN – Greece’s reform proposals were accepted by European finance ministers, effectively kicking the can down the road for another four months.
In her monetary policy testimony, Fed Chair Janet Yellen signaled that the Fed will begin to consider raising short-term interest rates on a meeting-by-meeting basis. Before then, the Fed will change its forward guidance (currently, the language suggests that the Fed can be “patient” in deciding when to raise rates).
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of February 22nd, 2015
February 22, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The minutes of the January 27th-28th Federal Open Market Committee meeting showed officials continuing to make preparations for policy normalization.
There was some debate about the risks of moving either too late or too soon. “Several” Fed officials feared that waiting too long to raise rates would risk higher inflation, but “many” (which in Fedspeak, is more than “several”) worried that a premature increase in rates could dampen the economic recovery and leave the Fed with limited options to correct course.
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of February 15th, 2015
February 15, 2015
Clarksville, TN – As expected, U.S. financial market participants kept a close eye on developments in Europe. A fragile ceasefire agreement was reached in Ukraine (but we’ve seen that before). Negotiations to reduce austerity in Greece and restructure the country’s debt broke down without making much progress, but the two sides agreed to try again next week.
Retails sales were softer than expected in January and consumer sentiment fell unexpectedly in the mid-February assessment, leading to some concerns about the strength of consumer spending, but also fueling expectations that the Fed will delay its initial increase in short-term interest rates. Unadjusted core retail sales fell 24.9%, the same decline as in January 2014.
Clarksville Community Concert Association brings Dallas Brass to APSU Tuesday, January 20th
January 16, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The celebrated Dallas Brass will present its American Tableau concert in Clarksville this Tuesday, January 20th at 7:30pm in the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall on the campus of Austin Peay State University in the Music/Mass Communication building at Eighth and Marion Streets.“
A Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family. Our ideal audience has a range in ages from five to 95. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music, while showing our audience how much we enjoy what we do.” says Michael Levine, artistic director and founder. This is part of the Clarksville Community Concert Association series.