Monthly Market Update – August 2024
Cooling inflation and job market It’s taken awhile, but the elusive sub-3% annual inflation(1) is now a reality, seemingly providing the Federal Reserve with enough justification to cut rates at its September meeting. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July increased by 0.2% from June and 2.9% from the previous year, marking the lowest annual […]
Monthly Market Update – June 2024
Inflation is finally easing Good news for consumers: the latest data showed inflation is finally easing, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing a drop in prices for necessities and discretionary items(1). Headline CPI was unchanged in May, marking the tamest reading since mid-2022, while core CPI rose by 0.2%(1). Both measures signal a potential […]
Monthly Market Update – May 2024
Slowing economy and stubborn inflation As analysts assess the health of the economy, the latest jobs reports raise concerns about a potential slowdown. In April, nonfarm payrolls rose by the smallest amount in six months. The unexpected slowdown in job creation was underscored by a rise in the unemployment rate, which ticked up from 3.8% […]
Monthly Market Update – April 2024
Inflation continues The road to a normal inflationary environment looks longer than it did before. The March Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that headline and core CPI both rose by 0.4% on a monthly basis, exceeding forecasts and marking the third month of 0.4% increase in core CPI(1). The increases in headline and core […]
Monthly Market Update – March 2024
Inflation & consumer spending In February, the US experienced a slight acceleration in inflation, with year-over-year prices growing by 3.2%, a bit more than expected, and marking a modest increase from January’s 3.1% rise(1). The acceleration in monthly prices was largely caused by rising gas and shelter costs, which together accounted for over 60% of […]
Monthly Market Update – December 2023
The Delicate Balance: interest rates, labor market and consumer sentiment In their final meeting of 2023, the Federal Reserve signaled a dovish pivot by updating their interest rate projections, indicating multiple rate cuts for both next year and 2025(1). The updated forecast suggests a lower path for the federal funds rate, with the Federal Reserve […]
Monthly Market Update – November 2023
Inflation slowing In October, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed inflation was flat on a monthly basis, slowing considerably from the 0.4% increase in prices in September(1). The yearly increase of 3.2% was helped by falling gas prices, which fell 5%, though food prices continue to increase. If gas prices continue to fall, then November’s […]
Monthly Market Update – September 2023
Inflation: Surging energy and gas prices Despite recent optimism about declining inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded its largest monthly increase this year, up 0.6% in August(1). On an annual basis, prices rose 3.7%, compared to 3.2% in July(1). Core inflation, which excludes more volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.3% in August, marking […]
Monthly Market Update – August 2023
The economy, consumer spending and the Feds The economy remained strong in the second quarter, with growth accelerating and GDP rising at a 2.4% annualized rate compared to 2% in the first quarter(1). Consumers continue to propel the economy forward, with consumer spending growing at a 1.6% rate during the quarter (1) and headline retail sales […]
Monthly Market Update – June 2023
Recent comments and data releases from the Federal Reserve indicate their intention to reshape market expectations for the remainder of this year and into 2024.
