Daily Rundown

January 30, 2026

Chart of the Day

Number of the Day

1.8 million - The number of continuing unemployment claims filed in the week of January 11, the fewest since September 2024

Quote of the Day

"In the U.S., consumer holiday spending was in line with last year, reflecting continued strength in retail, an improvement in fuel, and some moderation in other spend categories." - Visa CFO Chris Suh

Thursday's Highlights

Initial unemployment claims (week of 1/18) ticked lower by 1,000 to 209,000.

The trade deficit (November) widened to $56.8 billion from a prior $29.2 billion. Imports rose by 5.0 percent while exports fell 3.6 percent.

Productivity (Q3) was left unrevised at a growth rate of 4.9 percent. Unit labor costs fell 1.9 percent.

Factory orders (November) moved higher by 2.7 percent overall and 0.2 percent excluding transportation.

Visa total network spending volume (Q4) rose by 9.1 percent year-over-year, led again by international markets.

Mastercard total network spending volume (Q4) rose by 10.1 percent year-over-year, also led by international markets.

Quick Commentary

Trade is likely to give a significant boost to real GDP growth in the fourth quarter even after the snapback in the deficit in November. Overall, it is shaping up to be another solid quarter of growth, as consumer spending remained healthy and business investment continued to boom. The longstanding risks are still there, but the economy is entering 2026 with a fair amount of momentum.

Today's Highlights

PPI

American Express earnings

Daily Trivia

What landmark work was criticized upon its release for its 1,000-page length, with one critic noting that "only a Scotsman would think this concise"?

(Thursday's Question: Where is the world's most secretive Starbucks store, where names on cups are banned and baristas are forbidden from leaving their work areas without an escort? Answer: CIA headquarters)