Review of October 2023 data, GDP, PCE and personal income

Just some charts with a bit of commentary...

The headlines proclaimed a resilient consumer propelled the advance estimate of 4.9% annualized... to 5.2%. Seriously, the PCE slipped from 4.0% to 3.6%. You could toss in Residential investment, but you still come up lacking. 

It was a good report, but could have done without the spin, imho.

A couple of charts about PCE. Adjustments are in red. Again, a good report.

And to finish up the charts...

October ended up being an all around good month. May it continue.

This Week in Petroleum Summary 11-29-2023, per EIA.GOV

Just some charts to summarize today's report...

Gasoline prices have continued to fall, BUT seem to be nearing an end, imho.

Overall, the inventory numbers gained across the board, including the SPR. 

Consumption of Gasoline is slipping, but still slightly above year ago levels. 

The drop in gasoline prices should drop the CPI to -0.3% month to month and +3.0% on the year. It is a seasonal thing.

A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part Three

In part two, I did a quick peak at current polls, based on just D v R.

Part 3 adds independents, etc., into the mix, although impact is just D and R...

Certainly, my methodology is not very scientific, but it would appear the Kennedy factor is actually harming Trump, more than Biden, although both trend lower with the inclusion of Kennedy.

At this point, Kennedy does not appear anywhere near getting even 1 electoral vote, but the potential to drag voters away from either major party's candidate is possible. However, as stated previously, the impact appears more on the Republican side, rather than the Democrat side. Most notably in Arizona, North Caroline, and Pennsylvania.

The one thing about polls, is people do tend to wish for one thing during poll season, but will vote their party at election time, if republican or democrat. 

Independents might switch back and forth, but generally vote for which major party candidate makes them feel better, or rather... less worse.

A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part Two

A quick update on my latest review of polls and the presidential election.

A lot of time remaining and things could change. Currently, Biden is slipping in these states, with the exception of Virginia. 

Trump is also slipping in a few states, such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Iowa, Florida and Arizona. He is easing up in Michigan and North Carolina. 

IF the election were today, Trump would get 302 EVs, to Biden's 236. The safety numbers seem to be 235 for Trump and 226 for Biden. 

All of this is assuming that Trump will be the eventual republican nominee and Biden will be the democrat nominee. 

Realistically, Trump would be disruptive to the election, if he were not the republican nominee, and there is no one ready among the democrats, to step in for Biden.

We are stuck with these as the selections, although 3rd party involvement could be a factor, as things stand now. RFK Jr. does seem to be polling some double digit numbers, which appear to be affecting both D and R in the polls. 

While it is sad to think these are the options, it is fun to watch the hysteria.

This Week in Petroleum Summary 11-22-2023, per EIA.GOV

 A brief ditty from today's report...

 

Comparison of Inflation in selected countries- November, 2023 Edition

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

My electricity bills over time (January 2017~ November 2023)

Once again, I monitor my residential electricity costs.

As always, weather is a factor in consumption, which is why a rolling average is also important. Currently, that 12 month rolling average is -2.4% below last year. 

[I suspect it might continue to be lower, as I altered the thermostat settings in December of 2022. I adjusted the nighttime heating settings from 68°F to 72°F, which would increase the usage in winter time. Daytime heat settings remained at 72°F.

Cooling settings remain at 76°F daytime and 72°F for nighttime. Additionally, the number of days between meter readings vary.]

Currently, the 2023 average is below last year. Also, it should be noted that year over year... or base effects come into play, which tends to hide the overall increases. 

So what might seem like good news, still carries quite a bite on the budget. The CPI-U suggests that the average consumer spends about 2.559% of their expenses on electricity... or about $150 per month. 

My average is significantly short of that dollar amount, percentage wise. However my electricity expenses, compared to overall expenses, is well north of 2.559%. Which means other items in the expenditure basket are constrained.

While it (electricity costs) might end up being below last year, the cost of that electricity  has surged 10.2% since February, 2021. I don't expect it to fall back to levels of that time. 

This month's bill, is the lowest in this range, but the billing month was for a mere 24 days. 466 KWH was usage, so 13.65¢ per KWH. Last month was 33 days, at 13.7¢ per KWH.