Jeffry Bartash

Economics reporter at @MarketWatch. Writing from Washington on economics and a dash of politics. "Home" economist. Send comments to [email protected]

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

I try not to get too excited by the US jobs report given how error prone they've been on first read, but October looks darn good. September/August were also better. The most encouraging sign to me was an increase in the type of jobs AI is supposed to kill. https://t.co/RQ2DAgY1Hc

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

After tech-stock rout, October jobs report could bring relief — or more pain. Wall Street forecast is for 59,0000 new jobs and a 4.2% unemployment My guess? A report that is neither hot nor cold. https://t.co/Z07Xou7ZDW via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

The economy is barreling ahead — but there’s one big problem. You know, the issue that just flayed Republicans in the U.S. elections. Everyone is feeling what the man in the photo seems to be feeling. It costs that much? https://t.co/Jie5haAo7e via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

A sluggish U.S. jobs market might be perking up, but that's not saying much. It’s still not a great time to get hired - unless you are making or building stuff for the AI boom. https://t.co/30LFq1hEpQ via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

It’s the strangest job market the US has ever seen. The low-hire, low-fire economy turns 3 years old. What is it? When did it start? How long will it go on? Glad I'm not a young person entering the workforce, but it's not all bad, either. https://t.co/xM7XN8AUkN via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

The U.S. economy ripped off a 3.4% increase in GDP in the third quarter to mark the fastest growth in a year. Would have been much higher if not for a big trade deficit (AI-related imports). Tech cos. and wealthy Americans benefit most. https://t.co/32pxLsDEEk via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Inflation surges again, PCE shows, but it was no surprise after the latest spike in oil prices. The Fed pause on interest-rate hikes is unlikely to last with prices still rising. Some say the Fed should have raised rates yesterday. https://t.co/tZfYJ3d5i8 via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

The U.S. economy is pretty darn good by one measure - and the "good" times seem far from over. So why are Americans so sour? Here's why the economy and GDP aren't telling the whole story. https://t.co/iAo2qFsnl2 via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

A surging U.S. economy looks like it got off to a good start in the waning months of 2026 — but there’s still one big problem. The problem is so big, in fact, most Americans don't even think the economy is all that great. https://t.co/1Z6w0BNZEM via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

The September jobs report will probably show further improvement in a "low-hire" labor market, but it's still not a great time to find a new job. Fortunately layoffs are also incredibly low. So it's a low-fire jobs market, too. https://t.co/u2Rqdqfy6u via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

U.S. manufacturers say inflation is bad and it's not getting any better. Tariff hangover, high oil prices, supply disruptions... "Every month, we are faced with new headwinds created by this administration," one top exec told ISM. https://t.co/Ezqu9kWDzi via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

The U.S. economy is defying gravity. A lot of pretty good news today. Strange, I have to admit. But then, layoffs and unemployment are low. And a Godzilla-sized AI boom is transforming the economy ... https://t.co/dJsIztrrJv via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Investors saw evidence of inflation cooling in the Fed's preferred PCE price barometer. Good news? A bit. Yet inflation is still rising 3% a year - far too high for a Fed aiming for 2%. More interest-rate hikes are still on the table. https://t.co/430ExP0oZK via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Americans get back to their spending ways. And the economy seems to have sped up again. I know, the economy is not great. Inflation is a big reason why. But it's certainly not bad, all things considering ... https://t.co/NceSe0Mfeg via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

That surprising big 162,000 increase in new U.S. jobs in August didn't seem real to me at the time and still doesn't. Hard to believe it's sustainable, if accurate. Job openings are low, hiring is weak and jobseekers are depressed. https://t.co/q0swQfifoH via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Businesses are growing at the fastest pace in over four years. War and inflation aren’t putting the brakes on the U.S. economy. One of the chief drivers is controversial. Hint: Think Terminator movies. https://t.co/chQwhPPihF via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Retail sales surged near summer end. My first reaction: The U.S. economy has plenty of momentum. My second? The numbers don't tell the real human story. If you own stocks and have a well paying job, great. If not, it's tough out there. https://t.co/mRTaFnXUOc via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Wall Street & Main Street used to rely on so-called Fed watchers to tell us what a once-secretive Fed was doing Then 14 years ago a more open Fed created a 'dotplot' to guide us. And now? The dots may go away under a Warsh-led Fed.
https://t.co/g950zeE10i via @MarketWatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Is AT&T going to dial up a Fed interest-rate hike? OK, I exaggerate. But the 'hot' core CPI in August seems to be a result of an odd - and record rise - in wireless prices. A&TT ended some older, cheaper plans. Big, er, call for the Fed. https://t.co/jzdbYTH0A5 via @marketwatch

[Jeffry Bartash @jbartash]

Higher interest rates seem like a done deal after a hottish August CPI. But with the new Kevin Warsh-led Federal Reserve, I wouldn't bet the house on it. Rate of inflation didn't go up. Problem is, it didn't really show signs of slowing. https://t.co/TxMJRJyrt4 via @marketwatch