ITR Economics

Latest Episodes:

2027 Business Outlook: Find Growth as Costs Keep Rising | TrendsTalk Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

This week on TrendsTalk, a slower industrial economy could make it harder for businesses to grow while rising costs put pressure on margins. Taylor St. Germain and ITR economist Daniel Doderer discuss the 2027 outlook, including which markets may outperform and where legacy manufacturing could face greater challenges. They also explain why top-line growth may not tell the full story when wages, input costs, and electricity expenses are rising. For business leaders, the key questions are where to focus resources, how to gain market share, and how to protect profitability. Which parts of your business are best positioned for the year ahead? Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

Fed Holds Rates, but Is a December Rate Hike Next? | Fed Watch Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the Federal Reserve's latest decision to hold interest rates steady, even as persistent inflation raises the possibility of another rate hike in December. With September PCE inflation at 3.6% and two Fed officials voting to raise rates, what does the latest decision signal for borrowing costs and business planning heading into 2027? Lauren also examines stronger-than-expected GDP growth, resilient consumer spending, and a surprising 20.9% increase in equipment investment. Could another interest rate hike be coming sooner than businesses expect? Watch this week's episode for Lauren's analysis of the economic data shaping the Fed's next move. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

Why Labor Costs Could Remain a Challenge in 2027 | TrendsTalk Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

This week on TrendsTalk, why could labor costs remain a challenge for businesses even as employment growth slows? With wage pressures continuing and skilled workers in short supply, understanding the 2027 labor market outlook is critical for protecting profitability and planning for growth. ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain is joined by Tara Bayke to examine the latest employment forecasts, regional wage trends, and the growing divide between white-collar layoffs and blue-collar labor shortages. They also discuss why retaining key employees and adjusting compensation strategies could become increasingly important as businesses prepare for 2027 and the growth opportunities ahead in 2028 and 2029. Is your business prepared for another year of elevated labor costs? Subscribe to TrendsTalk for weekly economic insights and forecasts from ITR Economics. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

Fed Rate Hike Expected in December: What Comes Next? | Fed Watch Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker examines why the Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its October meeting, even as markets anticipate another rate hike in December and further increases into 2027. What could continued rate hikes mean for borrowing costs, business investment, and economic planning? Lauren explores the Fed's interest rate outlook, elevated Treasury yields, and persistent inflation pressures. She also explains how AI data center construction, rising electricity costs, and housing affordability challenges are complicating the inflation picture. With inflation potentially remaining above the Fed's 2% target, what should businesses be watching as the Federal Reserve prepares for its next decision? Watch this week's Fed Watch for insight into the economic trends shaping interest rates and the business outlook. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

Supply Chain Disruptions: A Growing Risk for 2027? | TrendsTalk Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

This week on TrendsTalk, rising supply chain pressures, higher energy prices, and increasing shipping costs are creating new challenges for businesses heading into 2027. Could these disruptions threaten your company's growth and profitability? ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain examines the latest supply chain data, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil and diesel prices, and increasing global shipping costs. With leading indicators pointing to additional supply chain pressure in the months ahead, businesses may need to rethink their strategies for managing costs, protecting profit margins, and meeting demand. What do these trends mean for the 2027 economic outlook, and how can businesses prepare while the economy continues to grow?

Inflation Is Rising: What It Means for Fed Rate Hikes | Fed Watch Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the latest inflation data and what persistent price pressures could mean for future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. From rising energy costs and tariffs to AI-driven demand for labor and materials, businesses and consumers are facing inflation from multiple directions. Could the latest CPI report signal higher interest rates heading into 2027? Watch to learn which inflation trends matter most and what businesses should be watching as they plan for the year ahead. What inflation pressures are having the biggest impact on your business? Share your thoughts in the comments. 00:01 – September CPI report reveals persistent inflation 00:40 – Energy prices drive higher consumer costs 01:57 – Core vs. super core inflation and tariff impacts 03:36 – AI and data center construction add pricing pressures 04:48 – Inflation, consumer spending, and the Fed's rate outlook #FedWatch #Inflation #FederalReserve #InterestRates #ITREconomics

Inflation Is Rising: What It Means for Fed Rate Hikes | Fed Watch Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Another Fed Rate Hike Is Coming. What Happens to Borrowing Costs? | Fed Watch Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down why another Fed rate hike may be coming and what the latest Fed minutes signal about the path ahead. But for businesses and consumers facing higher borrowing costs, the federal funds rate is only part of the story. Lauren examines the sharp rise in the 10-year Treasury yield and the forces pushing long-term interest rates higher, including inflation expectations, rising U.S. government debt, and shifting demand for Treasuries. What could these trends mean for interest rates and borrowing costs heading into 2027? Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

2027 Economic Outlook: Why Straight-Line Budgeting Could Put Growth at Risk | TrendsTalk Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist Taylor St. Germain discusses the economic outlook for 2027 and why businesses should avoid assuming that the strong growth seen in 2026 will continue at the same pace. Several key benchmarks, including industrial production, capital expenditures, and wholesale trade, are expected to move from accelerating growth to a period of slower expansion. Taylor explains how this shift could affect business planning, pricing, profit margins, and budgeting decisions. He also highlights potential opportunities in commercial construction, data centers, artificial intelligence, and other high-technology industries that may help offset slower growth elsewhere. Free Economic Insights Receive timely economic insights and analysis from ITR Economics right to your inbox. Join our email list → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWz50 Trends Report Trial Get forward-looking insights with over 40 Unique Market Forecasts. Start your free 30-day trial → https://hubs.la/Q04yvWRg0 Talk to a Specialist Connect with an expert and discover how to turn economic insight into your competitive edge. Work with ITR Economics → https://hubs.la/Q04yvX_s0

Weak Jobs Data, Rising Rates: What Is the Fed Watching? | Fed Watch Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down a week of mixed economic data and what it could mean for interest rates and the Federal Reserve’s next moves. GDP was revised higher, while the latest labor market data showed signs of weakness. For business leaders trying to plan around borrowing costs, hiring, and economic growth, the challenge is separating meaningful trends from short-term noise. Lauren explains why the latest jobs numbers deserve attention, but may not be enough to change the direction of interest rates. What should businesses be watching as the Fed balances labor market weakness against persistent inflation pressures? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected