KPMG Economics
A source for unbiased economic intelligence to help improve strategic decision-making.
What’s impacting labor market participation? Why are some sectors faring better than others? How do you separate the signal from the noise? KPMG Economics answers these questions and more, providing timely insight and analysis into the economic indicators. We monitor trends and identify potential opportunities that could impact your strategic objectives. Our perspectives look at both the short-term and long-term economic factors that are critical to guiding strategic decisions.
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KPMG Economics distributes a wide selection of insight and analysis to help businesses make informed decisions.
Economic Coordinates
Explore analysis of key data indicators, such as job creation and the labor market, consumer spending, inflation, investment, housing and monetary policy. These combined data points are indicators of the overall health of the economy.
No results found.
No relief from inflation in July
Inflation is grinding sideways at a pace that is too hot for comfort.
Retail sales fell in July
Energy prices continue to pressure consumers.
July CPI cools, but not enough to derail hawks
July inflation numbers moved sideways.
Household balance sheets generally stable
Student loans pose the biggest danger.
No results found.
Labor market holds steady
Pay gap widens between job stayers and leavers.
Another negative month? TPS layoffs raise the stakes
Healthcare, leisure and hospitality most affected.
Hiring suffers a blow
A low-hire, low-fire labor market persists, but the mix is getting worse: labor demand is softening just as supply constraints keep inflation risks alive.
Payrolls poised for a pickup
Worker supply is tight.
No results found.
Warsh speaks, markets infer
No hand-holding.
Warsh’s short-lived honeymoon
Three dissents at his second meeting.
New chair, old guard
Brace for dissent.
Warsh returns to his hawkish roots
Fed funds rate unchanged.
No results found.
Housing market treads water
Builders sold fewer homes in July.
Home builders are not breaking ground
Builders remain pessimistic.
Builders are selling less pricey homes
June gains won’t last.
Multifamily drove housing starts
Builders continue offering incentives.
No results found.
AI boom drives deficit growth
Mexico is supporting US AI buildout.
Construction spending sinks overall
Data center construction hits record highs.
Front-running lifts orders
Numbers look good at first glance.
Industrial production expanded in July
Purchasing managers’ index hits four-year high.
Global Economic and Geopolitical Outlook webcast
Reserve your spot: Uncertainty surrounding trade policy, energy markets and geopolitical developments continues to influence business decisions globally. Join KPMG's Global Economic & Geopolitical Outlook webcast on September 24 for timely insights into the forces shaping the operating environment and what they could mean for your organization.
KPMG Economics in the news:
- Why you’re paying more for gas and groceries
ABC News' Ike Ejiochi spoke with KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk about the rising costs of gas and groceries for American households as the Trump administration's renewed conflicts with Iran continue.
July 15, 2026 | ABC News
- Fed May Need Two More Hikes: Swonk
Despite cooler inflation data, KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk says the fight against inflation is far from over. She joined ‘Bloomberg Open Interest’ to talk about why the Fed may need two more rate hikes. She says geopolitical tensions could reignite food and energy inflation, and warns the AI-driven market rally is masking growing financial stress for everyday consumers.
July 15, 2026 | Bloomberg TV
- What More War in Iran Means for Americans
Renewed tensions between the US and Iran, following the apparent collapse of a fragile ceasefire, are raising concerns about prolonged instability and economic impact. Analysts suggest the situation may evolve into sustained, low-level conflict rather than full-scale war and prolonging uncertainty for global markets. Inflation is the highest it's been in three years, and now gas and food could get more expensive because of the continued fighting. "It slows the descent of the prices at the pump," said Diane Swonk, chief economist with KPMG. "And it adds a larger tail on inflation." That contributes to inequality, Swonk said, because low- and middle-income households have to use more of their paycheck to buy basic goods.
July 8, 2026 | The Washington Post
- Fed Minutes Due Wednesday: Nine Hawkish Dots and Warsh's Deliberate Silence
Despite cooler inflation data, KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk says the fight against inflation is far from over. She joined ‘Bloomberg Open Interest’ to talk about why the Fed may need two more rate hikes. She says geopolitical tensions could reignite food and energy inflation, and warns the AI-driven market rally is masking growing financial stress for everyday consumers.
July 7, 2026 | Tech Times
- American workplaces are hostile to workers caring for aging family members
US workplaces are often ill-equipped to support employees caring for aging relatives, reflecting a growing but underrecognized workforce challenge. Matthew Nestler, a senior economist at KPMG, noted that employers lack visibility into caregiving responsibilities, describing the issue as “just a bit of a black box.” He highlighted that key government surveys track childcare-related workforce participation gaps but do not account for eldercare, limiting employer awareness. This disconnect contributes to gaps in workplace policies, even as some companies begin piloting more flexible and caregiver-friendly approaches to better support employees.
July 7, 2026 | MarketWatch
- Payroll Growth Misses Expectations as Rate Outlook Shifts
The US labor market showed signs of slowing in June, adding just 57,000 jobs—roughly half of the 115,000 consensus forecast—while the unemployment rate dipped to 4.2% due largely to a decline in labor force participation. Sector performance was mixed, with losses in leisure and hospitality offset by gains in professional services, social assistance, and healthcare. Markets reacted by lowering expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve rate hike. However, KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk cautioned that market optimism may be premature, stating that expectations the Fed will pause are “misplaced” and reaffirming KPMG’s view that two rate increases remain likely this year.
July 3, 2026 | Tech Times
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KPMG Economics distributes a wide selection of insight and analysis to help businesses make informed decisions.
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