2024 Presidential Election Update, September 28th Edition

The race continues to somewhat tighten, with the electoral vote forecast having Trump/Vance with 240 to 226 for Harris/Walz. The toss-ups are now at 72, with a sliver of an edge still favoring Trump at 66 and Harris at 6. Thus, Trump at 306 and Harris at 232. 270 is needed to win. 38 days to go. 

State by state...

• Arizona, seemingly favoring Trump
• Georgia, very slim in favor of Trump
• Michigan, very slim in favor of Trump
• Minnesota, solid for Harris
• New Hampshire, sold for Harris
• Nevada, Harris leading and building a lead
• North Carolina, favoring Trump, but Harris cutting into lead
• Pennsylvania, very slim in favor of Trump
• Virginia, solid for Harris
• Wisconsin, seemingly favoring Trump 

It is one thing to say these polls are within the margin of error, but that margin of error usually indicates the point of confidence. Most of the polls are near the center of those MOE ranges. That is NOT indicating much in the way of confidence.

Translation: This race is DAMN tight!

Review of August 2024 data, 2Q GDP, PCE and personal income

The monthly summary continues to improve, although PCE ex food and energy inflation numbers continue to be a concern.

A lot of hoopla about the overall, but that PCE ex-F&E edged upward.

Now for the revisions in previous months...

Personal income, etc. is shown here.

The GDP 3rd estimate can be found here.

Note the uptick in the trade deficit. A part of that may be the front loading of imports in preparation of possible East and Gulf Coast port strike, possible on 10-1. Both sides seem to be playing chicken at this point. Each day of a strike would in theory... hamper $4.5 in imports and $2.8B in exports. 

That front loading should likely have a bit of drag on 3rd Quarter GDP, but certainly not like the 1st half of 2022... which was almost entirely responsible for those back to back negative quarters.

By end of October, we will have the first glimpse of 3Q GDP and whether there was a strike.

This Week in Petroleum Summary September 25th, 2024 per EIA.GOV

This week's full report. 

Gasoline pump prices fell -0.2¢ for the week, and continues well below year ago levels, by -66.8¢, or -16.5%. Days supply slipped to 24.9. For perspective... last year was 25.5 days.

Inventories slid across the board, with crude slipping -4.5M barrels; Distillates down -2.2M barrels; Gasoline stocks fell -1.5M barrels. Total Petroleum + products +SPR slid -13.3M barrels, with the SPR rising +1.3M barrels.

The total products is still +31.9M barrels ahead of year ago levels.

For those interested, the exports of Crude, Petroleum Products, Including Gasoline has far outweighed the imports, by this much, since March, 2022.

The current crack spread edged up from last week's $15.63, to $16.22. Gasoline up to $8.42 from last week's $8.26. Distillates to $7.80, compared to last week's $7.37.

One set of data indicates a further easing of pump prices, while another suggests nearing a bottom. Which is exactly what last week's data suggested. This past week, did indicate both slight up and down movement in prices. 

This coming week... only time will tell.

2024 Presidential Election Update, September 21st Edition

The race continues to somewhat tighten, with the electoral vote forecast having Trump/Vance with 245 to 226 for Harris/Walz. The toss-ups are now at 67, with an edge still favoring Trump at 46 and Harris at 21. Thus, Trump at 291 and Harris at 247. 270 is needed to win. 45 days to go. 

While Harris finally moved up on the electoral count, it was more of Virginia moving out of the Toss-up range in her favor. 

While nothing is firm until after the election... Trump seems to have a firmer grip on 245 EVs, with the following odds in a few other states.

Arizona - 11 EVs... Trump with  slim edge, at 60%

Georgia - 16 Evs... Trump with the edge, at 85%

Michigan - 15EVs... Harris with a razor thin edge

Nevada - 6 EVs... Harris, razor thin, but edging up. 

Pennsylvania - 19 EVs... Trump odds of winning - 73%, down sharply from last week

Those represent 67 EVs. Harris needs 3 of the 5, whereas Trump needs 2. 

Harris has taken the lead in the national composite... 49.9 ~ 49.6. In 2016, Clinton led Trump 42.0 ~ 40.3. In 2020, Biden led Trump 50.3 ~ 43.5

Comparison of Inflation in selected countries- September, 2024 Edition

With the United Kingdom, Canada, and EUstats release of June data, I have updated my comparison graph. [Note, the USA(EU method) is directly from Eurostat]

Looking at the same period of time, for USA, EU(27), UK, USA(using EU methodology), results in the following...

Despite the current similarities, the timeframe has a considerable difference.

I point this out, as while there were some similar causes, there were causes of significant difference, and the timing was different as well.

In any case, the inflation story has about run its course, or so we can hope!

 

My electricity bills over time (September, 2024 Edition)

My electricity usage over time. I track many things to monitor my inflation versus the CPI.

The August bill came in much lower than last year. -10.5% from same month, last year. Granted, it is bill only, not adjusted for days in the reading, etc.

As for the rolling 12 month average...

I can take any good news and this is getting better.

This Week in Petroleum Summary September 18th, 2024 per EIA.GOV

This week's full report. 

Gasoline pump prices fell -3.0¢ for the week, and continues well below year ago levels, by -66.8¢, or -17.2%. Days supply edged up to 25. For perspective... last year was 24.8 days.

Inventories were mixed across the board, with crude slipping -1.6M barrels; Distillates up 125K barrels; Gasoline stocks rose +69K barrels. Total Petroleum + products +SPR slid -485K barrels, with the SPR rising +655K barrels.

The total products is still +42.9M barrels ahead of year ago levels.

For those interested, the exports of Crude, Petroleum Products, Including Gasoline has far outweighed the imports, by this much, since March, 2022.

The current crack spread edged up from last week's $15.39, to $15.63. Gasoline up to $8.26 from last week's $7.82. Distillates to $7.37, compared to last week's $7.57.

One set of data indicates a further easing of pump prices, while another suggests nearing a bottom. Time will tell.

Advance Retail Sales Report- September 17th, 2024

Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, August Report. 

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August 2024, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $710.8 billion, an increase of 0.1 percent (±0.5 percent)* from the previous month, and up 2.1 percent (±0.5 percent) from August 2023.

Note the numbers are not adjusted for inflation. Keep in mind, the BLS listed the annual inflation rate of 2.5% 

First up, the revision history (might need to click on, to up scale)...

The historical numbers, also with adjustments for inflation...

After last month's "stellar" report, which was mostly from revisions and other items, this month is tame.

There were winners and losers, however. The biggest sales numbers come from the auto sector, which faded a bit over the past month in adjusted sales, and is below the annual.

The next biggest sector is food and beverage stores, which also saw a decrease in adjusted sales. General merchandise continued that trend, with department stores sales for adjusted monthly and annual falling.

Food services and drinking establishments held steady for the monthly adjusted.

Mail order companies, continue to outpace nearly all others.

2024 Presidential Election Update, September 14th Edition

The race continues to somewhat tighten, with the electoral vote forecast now having Trump/Vance with 245 to 226 for Harris/Walz. The toss-ups are now at 61, with an edge still favoring Trump at 42 and Harris at 19. Thus, Trump at 306 and Harris at 232. 270 is needed to win. 52 days to go. 

While Harris finally moved up on the electoral count, it was more of Virginia moving out of the Toss-up range in her favor. 

While nothing is firm until after the election... Trump seems to have a firmer grip on 245 EVs, with the following odds in a few other states.

• Pennsylvania - 19 EVs... Trump odds of winning - 89%
• Michigan - 16 EVS... Trump odds of winning - 86%
• Arizona - 11 EVs... Trump odds of winning - 80%
• Georgia - 16 EVs... Trump odds of winning - 69%

Those represent 62 EVs. Harris needs 3 of the 4, whereas Trump needs 2. 

Harris has whittled away at what was once a commanding Trump lead, but can that pace continue over the next 52 days? 

Now the question is whether I will continue to track all this, as my several of my files have become corrupted, and several attempts to restore them have failed. So do I go back to square 1?

PPI September 2024 release with August 2024 Data

The BLS has released the September 2024 Producer Price Index Report for the month of August.  (historical releases)

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.2 percent in August, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices were unchanged in July and rose 0.2 percent in June. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand advanced 1.7 percent for the 12 months ended in August.

The August rise in the index for final demand can be traced to a 0.4-percent increase in prices for final demand services. The index for final demand goods was unchanged.

The report card continues to indicate easing of inflation. 

 

This Week in Petroleum Summary September 11th, 2024 per EIA.GOV

This week's full report. 

Gasoline pump prices fell -6.4¢ for the week, and continues well below year ago levels, by -57.9¢, or -15.1%. Days supply edged up to 24.7. For perspective... last year was 24.8 days.

Inventories were up across the board, with crude up +833K barrels; Distillates up 2.3M barrels; Gasoline stocks rose +2.3M barrels. Total Petroleum + products +SPR rose +9.2M barrels, with the SPR rising +279K barrels.

The total products is still +42.9M barrels ahead of year ago levels.

For those interested, the exports of Crude, Petroleum Products, Including Gasoline has far outweighed the imports, by this much, since March, 2022.

The current crack spread has slid further from last week's $15.60, to $15.39. Gasoline at $7.82 from last week's $7.61. Distillates to $7.57, compared to last week's $7.99.

With the overall spread easing, it is difficult to imagine the pump prices not edging lower, although Diesel may be nearing a bottom

I may be crazy, but the trend of -12¢~15¢ on pump prices, for gasoline and maybe -7¢ on diesel, continues. There is significant potential for pump prices to be under $3 by Christmas... or earlier.

BLS Data Dump. Real Earnings - September 11th, 2024

On to the Real Earnings.

Harkening back to February 2020, when the real hourly rate was $11.02, that rate is now $11.21 for hourly- private non farm payrolls, seasonally adjusted...  

Whereas real  weekly earnings for that same cohort has moved from $378.92 to $384.47, up from last month...

For the real hourly earnings of Production and Non-Supervisory of $9.49 in February 2020, is now $9.83. Up 2¢ from last month's report...

The real weekly earnings for this group moved from $319.90, to 331.36. Up 74¢ from last month...

All the above data is based directly on the CPI-U to get the "real" component. 

BLS Data Dump. CPI - September 11th, 2024

First up is the BLS Report for CPI...(historical releases)

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.5 percent in August and was the main factor in the all items increase. The food index increased 0.1 percent in August, after rising 0.2 percent in July. The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent over the month, while the index for food at home was unchanged. The energy index fell 0.8 percent over the month, after being unchanged the preceding month.

The 2.53% is finally below the 2.62% of March, 2021, but still above the 1.68% of February, 2021.

Here is the unadjusted CPI for the past 12 months...

My own personal CPI rose 2.7% Y/Y, but rose +0.1% on the month (I'm happy with that) ...

Taking a look at the current report card...

My inflation rate is slowing, but following several years of my personal inflation being below the COLA, I am not so happy, with the current outlook.

So the likelihood of 2.5% is very real, with an outside potential for 2.4%. That 2.6% from last month's projection is very, very... not likely.

We'll see next month.

2024 Presidential Election Update, September 7th Edition

The race continues to somewhat tighten, with the electoral vote forecast now having Trump/Vance with 245 to 213 for Harris/Walz. The toss-ups are now at 80, with an edge favoring Trump at 61 and Harris at 19. Thus, Trump at 306 and Harris at 232. 270 is needed to win. 59 days to go.

Harris slipped in Georgia and held steady in Nevada. 538 has Harris with a +3.1 margin nationally, whereas I have Trump with a +0.4 lead.

It should be pointed out that Clinton was polling a +3.9 point lead nationally, just before the 2016 election. Although it should be pointed out that she lost the electoral count, due to less than 100K votes in selected states. Also, Trump lost the 2020 electoral count also, by less than 100K votes in selected states. An election that had Biden leading in the polls by +8.4 points. 

It is the electoral count that matters. AS of right now... Trump has the edge. 

Next week brings on a debate. Doubtful that the polls would include results from after the debates... for a couple of weeks. 

In a boring stage of the polling, imho. 

This Week in Petroleum Summary September 5th, 2024 per EIA.GOV

This week's full report. 

Gasoline pump prices fell -0.9¢ for the week, and continues well below year ago levels, by -50.3¢, or -13.2%. Days supply edged up to 24.0. For perspective... last year was 23.8 days.

Inventories were mixed, with crude down sharply -6.9M barrels; Distillates down -371K barrels; Gasoline stocks rose +1.82M barrels. Total Petroleum + products +SPR slid -6.2M barrels, with the SPR rising +1.8M barrels.

Despite the draws, the total products is still +44.4M barrels ahead of year ago levels.

For those interested, the exports of Crude, Petroleum Products, Including Gasoline has far outweighed the imports, by this much, since March, 2022.

The current crack spread has slid further from last week's $16.37, to $15.60. Gasoline at $7.61 from last week's $8.92. Distillates to $7.99, compared to last week's $7.45.

With the overall spread easing, it is difficult to imagine the pump prices not edging lower, although Diesel may be nearing a bottom

I may be crazy, but another -12¢~15¢ on pump prices, for gasoline and maybe -7¢ on diesel.