Tuesday, March 24, 2015

It's hard to write economic news headlines

The latest from the Chemical Activity Barometer, a measurement of chemical commerce activity in the American economy from the American Chemistry Council. Seems to me that this suggests that the economy is slowing a tiny bit, but the headline is about "a spring thaw." I don't get it, unless the suggestion is that March's numbers are better than January and February -- which don't really seem to be the case. I dunno. 
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7 comments:

  1. uncle samMarch 24, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    With everyone in the world devaluing their currency except the US, with the US talking about raising rates, of course there is going to be slowdown in the chemicals industry. The profit margins are small and you can make stuff cheaper anywhere outside the States these days. Profit margins for oil industry will also be greater outside the States for this reason, which reflects on the chemicals industry. Unless the dollar is devalued soon to catch up with the Euro and Yen, it won't only be the chemical industry which is facing a slowdown. I keep telling you all the time C-Jobs, you are DOOOOOMMMMed!!!1!

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    1. ChemjobberMarch 24, 2015 at 5:17 PM

      Uncle, you never cease to make me smile.

      Regarding "you can make stuff cheaper anywhere outside the States these days", dunno if that is true or not. Feedstocks are cheap here, as well as the energy costs.

      It does make me wonder if Aunt Jan is gonna raise rates anytime soon, though.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 24, 2015 at 9:30 PM

      US Margins (in petrochem) are not as attractive as last year with oil being so cheap. As a result, The sky is falling.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 24, 2015 at 9:56 PM

    US has interest rates at zero and is rolling over matured bonds into more bonds. Additionally, they have no intention of raising rates. If you listen to Yellen she has just redefined the word patient, as she did with 'considerable period'.

    If that isn't devaluing a currency what is?

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    1. uncle samMarch 25, 2015 at 8:19 AM

      It's not good enough if every other major currency is falling faster. What you end up with, is an appreciating currency. The EU has negative interest rates in a lot of places now. Japan is still printing money like crazy. You can't compete with stagnating economies in which people don't want to invest in in the devaluation game. This will only end when their currencies are cheap enough and their growth rates get bigger at the expense of the US. Still, having low rates for a long time is also a problem as it causes things like giant housing bubbles, huge government debts, people who have never known double digit interests and are going to be in for a nasty surprise at some point... In general, you are all DOOOOOMMMMed!!!

      Delete
    2. NMHMarch 25, 2015 at 9:37 AM

      Indeed. Still beats being flogged by one of those ISIS clowns....

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMarch 25, 2015 at 12:01 PM

      No wonder they call economics the dismal science.

      Delete

looks like Blogger doesn't work with anonymous comments from Chrome browsers at the moment - works in Microsoft Edge, or from Chrome with a Blogger account - sorry! CJ 3/21/20

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