This morning the UM released monthly survey of consumers. To put it bluntly, this was not a good report.
Current level of consumer confidence is below the levels seen in April 2020 when the world was locked down. Its current reading is near levels associated with the GFC.
2/4
Half the country thinks their standard of living is going to fall because of inflation, as explained here.
“Let this ridership record be a clear signal – New York is coming out of the Omicron surge and we have numbers to prove it,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement Wednesday.
2/6
Subway ridership did make a new one-day post-pandemic peak on Tuesday. But day-to-day subway ridership fluctuates based on the day of the week and weather. So while Tuesday was a record over 3 million, there have been several 2.9 million days in recent weeks.
3/6
Taking a step back, the chart below shows a rolling 7-day average of the three most used ways people commute in New York, driving (bridge and tunnel usage), buses and subway. It is shown as a percentage of the average usage pre-pandemic.
Powell might not be chairman in 2 weeks, and it will not matter.
Sherrod Brown (D, OH), the head of the Senate finance committee, said the committee will most likely vote on the Powell/Brainard nominations in early Feb.
No date on the full Senate floor confirmation vote.
2/3
Powell's term as Fed Chairman ends January 31. His term as a "regular" Fed governor expires in 2028.
(The Fed chairman is also a "regular" Fed Governor, think of them as two separate things)
3/3
Brown told the press yesterday it doesn't matter that Powell technically expires as Chairman on the 31st.
All parties will probably agree to treat him as the Fed Chairman, and everything continues as is.