ITR Economics

09/04/2026

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Connor Lokar examines why expectations for a September Federal Reserve rate hike shifted following Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech. For business leaders navigating uncertain borrowing costs and weakness in housing and agriculture, Connor breaks down the Fed’s 2 percent inflation target, elevated PCE inflation, and the difference between headline inflation and underlying price pressures. https://hubs.la/Q04wMkQV0

09/03/2026

Waiting for yesterday’s interest rates to return may be the wrong strategy. Long-term borrowing costs are rising, but corporate credit markets are telling a more nuanced story. What should businesses prepare for? https://hubs.ly/Q04wz3kM0

09/03/2026

What trends are contributing to our 2030s depression forecast? How should businesses prepare in these few remaining years? Are there any factors that could change this forecast? Download our free eBook to start preparing today. https://hubs.la/Q04wwrvc0

09/02/2026

Build, buy, or wait? Capital investment decisions for 2027 are getting harder to make as leaders balance growth opportunities against costs, timing, and future economic risk. ⚙️

The right answer depends on more than whether an investment makes sense today. Discover a few considerations that can help frame the decision.

Longer-range planning is equally important. Strong CapEx plans will balance current opportunities with efficiency, liquidity, controlled leverage, and resilience.

09/02/2026

Where your business operates could shape how well you navigate the 2030s. 🌎 Some states are positioned for stronger long-term growth, while others may face greater economic pressure in the next cycle. The challenge for leaders is knowing where future opportunity may emerge and how geographic strategy could impact resilience. https://hubs.la/Q04wddsS0

09/01/2026

➡️ What strategic outcome must this acquisition produce?
➡️ What geographic exposures, dependencies, and long-term opportunities are we actually buying?
➡️ Which assumption would do the most damage to the acquisition thesis if it proved wrong?

Dive into our latest blog to understand why the answers to these three questions can make or break your long-term expansion strategy. https://hubs.la/Q04w3x_q0

09/01/2026

A good manufacturing business in the wrong geography can still become a bad acquisition. 📍

When evaluating a manufacturer or facility, the purchase price is only part of the equation. You are also taking on that region’s workforce, customer base, supplier network, capital needs, and long-term economic outlook.

Are you evaluating where your next acquisition can succeed, or just what it costs to buy?

A good manufacturing business in the wrong geography can still beco...

08/31/2026

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economists Taylor St. Germain and Tara Bayke examine why producer inflation is accelerating and what rising material, tariff, labor, transportation, and electricity costs could mean for business profitability. Which pressures should businesses prioritize as they plan ahead? https://hubs.la/Q04vXVvW0

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Connor Lokar examines what cooler PCE inflation could mean for the Federal Reserve’s September interest rate decision. He also explores July’s sharp home sales decline and why elevated Treasury yields and mortgage rates continue to squeeze rate-sensitive businesses.https://hubs.la/Q04vKBhv0