February 2019 Summary1
Economic activity moderated but remained positive as Texas enters the ninth year of the business-cycle expansion. Payroll employment grew at a steady pace despite historically low unemployment. Headline wage numbers, however, remained sluggish despite labor-market tightness and decreased inflationary pressure. Energy prices stabilized after a recent bout of volatility, and crude oil production and exports held firm. Texas exports continued to flourish as products shifted from China to other economic partners, but the ongoing dispute between the world’s two largest economies could contribute to waning global activity. Political tension and gridlock in Washington added to the current state of uncertainty. Click to read more at //www.recenter.tamu.edu.