Economic data last week included improved consumer inflation readings (albeit tainted due to a missing month), a stronger than expected employment situation report (also colored by the shutdown’s lack of data), and gains in retail sales, existing home sales, and consumer sentiment.

Economic news for the week included another quarter-percent policy interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, a seasonal rise in jobless claims, and stronger-than-expected job openings data.

At the December meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve Open Market Committee voted by majority to reduce the Fed funds rate by another -0.25% to a new range of 3.50-3.75%.

The economic data release schedule has begun to normalize, with last week showing gains in personal income and spending, ISM services, industrial production, and consumer sentiment. These offset the weaker ISM manufacturing and ADP employment reports.

On a short holiday week, economic data included gains in retail sales and durable goods orders, as well as higher producer price readings, decelerating home prices, and continued weak consumer confidence.

Economic data began to slowly flow again, following the record-long government shutdown, although scheduling remains delayed for a variety of releases.