Economics, Labor Markets, and Public Policy by Justin Wolfers
Justin Wolfers: Consumer sentiment unchanged at 52 despite economic shifts between 1980 and 2026
Consumer sentiment in the United States was 52 in 1980, a year when inflation stood at 14% and unemployment at 8%. Justin Wolfers stated that, according to available measures, consumer sentiment ...
Unwind and analyze recent economic events, Justin Wolfers advises
Justin Wolfers invites people to listen to the Off the Clock week-in-review show, encouraging them to reflect on and make sense of the recent economic week. Wolfers highlights the relaxing and ...
Justin Wolfers: Visible gas prices and hidden health costs affect inflation perception
Justin Wolfers described how visible gas prices displayed on large signs can shape people's perception of inflation, while health insurance costs often go unnoticed as quiet paycheck deductions. ...
Telling investigators to stop examining odd-looking trades is hard to explain, Justin Wolfers notes
Odd transactions are a common occurrence in large financial markets. Justin Wolfers commented that while such trades may not be unusual, instructing investigators to halt their inquiries is much ...
Justin Wolfers: Federal Reserve faces tough interest rate decision after latest inflation data
The Federal Reserve faces a difficult decision following the latest inflation numbers: whether to raise interest rates to curb inflation but risk slowing the economy, or to hold rates steady and ...
Diesel futures reverse after European oil release proves limited, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers reports that diesel futures initially fell when U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “massive” release of European oil. However, Wolfers highlights that after traders ...
Justin Wolfers: Labor share of income reaches all-time low as owners gain more
Justin Wolfers reports that labor's share of income has dropped to an all-time low, meaning workers are receiving a smaller portion of every dollar earned by companies. Wolfers explains that ...
Fed can freeze economy to curb inflation, Justin Wolfers argues
Justin Wolfers highlights that while the Federal Reserve cannot address issues such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz or existing tariffs, it does have tools to slow inflation. He explains ...
Justin Wolfers: Financial literacy education should be a higher priority
Justin Wolfers delivered a keynote last week focused on enhancing financial literacy education. He emphasized the importance of investing more effort into teaching financial literacy and expressed ...
Closure of town newspapers raises borrowing costs for local governments, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers highlights that when a town's newspaper closes, local governments experience increased borrowing costs due to higher interest rates. He indicates that the reduction in local ...
Justin Wolfers: Canada shifts focus to diversify from U.S. economic reliance
Justin Wolfers highlights Canada’s unique geographic advantage—sharing a border with the largest and most prosperous economy in history, the U.S. He notes that the current Canadian government, ...
Kevin Warsh faces market scrutiny over Fed decision, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers assesses the potential outcomes of the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. Wolfers points out that Kevin Warsh could face scrutiny from both President Donald Trump and Wall Street, ...
Justin Wolfers: Fed focuses on core inflation as energy costs drive surprise rise
Justin Wolfers points out that the Federal Reserve pays closer attention to core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices. He highlights that core inflation remains elevated, with a 0.3% ...
U.S. consumer sentiment at lowest point in 70 years, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers highlights that consumer sentiment in the U.S. has reached its lowest point in 70 years of survey data. According to Wolfers, this level is even lower than during past wars, ...
Justin Wolfers: U.S. budget deficit at 6 percent of GDP outside recession or war
Justin Wolfers highlights that the U.S. budget deficit is currently around 6 percent of GDP, which he describes as the highest in the postwar period outside of wartime or recessions. Wolfers ...
Justin Wolfers: Rising bond yields are not a crisis but will impact borrowing costs
Justin Wolfers offers his perspective on the recent increase in bond yields, stating that the situation does not constitute a crisis or signal impending major trouble. He explains that while ...
Inflation persists at high levels, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers offers a concise assessment of the latest U.S. inflation report, highlighting that headline inflation remains too high and core inflation is showing signs of improvement. He ...
Justin Wolfers: U.S. economy discussed on British show
Justin Wolfers appeared on The Trump Report to discuss the U.S. economy, Canada, inflation trends, and the concept of a K-shaped economy. He also commented on whether the current administration ...
Fed hike probability falls to 42 percent after jobs data, Justin Wolfers notes
Justin Wolfers highlights that the Federal Reserve is currently reassessing its position. According to Wolfers, the probability of a Fed rate hike in September, as implied by Fed funds futures, ...
Justin Wolfers: Insider trading laws protect markets and ordinary investors
Justin Wolfers examines the purpose of insider trading laws, emphasizing that these regulations are not solely about fairness. He explains that the integrity and proper functioning of markets ...
Economic headlines analyzed alongside new GDP data, Justin Wolfers examines
Justin Wolfers discusses recent economic headlines, focusing on why current tariffs may be especially detrimental, the implications of recent Federal Reserve communications, and interpretation of ...
