May 2023 Market Update
Inflation, Employment Data, and Interest Rates The inflation report for April indicated the Consumer Price Index (CPI) may not be falling quickly enough to support the current market expectations of significant interest rate cuts by the end of the year. Bloomberg Economics suggests that the Federal Reserve is now prioritizing credit indicators and is likely […]
April 2023 Market Update
The Economy and Labor Market Consumers are the largest and most important part of the US economy, and their ability to drive it has been critical over the last year or so. Sentiment data has shown pessimistic views of the economy, but the tight jobs market has been a key point of the consumers’ resilience […]
March 2023 Market Update
SVB Rattles Markets! Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapsed over a five-day period starting on March 8, 2023. The events were triggered by a run on the bank after it announced that it had sold securities at a loss and needed to raise $2.25 billion to plug the hole in its finances. SVB’s bond portfolio, heavily […]
February 2023 Market Update
It’s raining data! The American consumer continues to enjoy considerable winds at their back from a tight labor market. In January, businesses dramatically surprised markets by adding 517,000 jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 3.4%(3), the lowest since the late 1960s. There have been many headlines of large layoffs, but so far they have not […]
January 2023 Market Update
Improving inflation & consumer sentiment December now marks three months in a row with improving news on inflation. Monthly prices declined by 0.1% in December and annual prices increase by 6.5%, down from a 7.1% increase in November(1). However, core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, did tick up during the month, rising […]
November 2022 Market Update
Positive GDP and CPI Recent positive economic developments include third quarter GDP rising at a 2.6% annualized rate(1). Also, inflation is showing some signs of slowing, with the yearly change in the Consumer Price index falling from 8.2% to 7.7%2. The GDP report essentially puts to bed the discussion of currently being in a recession, […]
October 2022 Market Update
Inflation Another hot inflation report from September shows the Fed has a long way to go to get inflation under control. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% for the month and 8.2% over the prior year(1). While the annual increase is slightly slower than the 8.3% in August, there weren’t many silver linings in the […]
The smart way to do debt
Debt is a reality of life for most of us, and, when done right, can be a great tool to help you manage your finances. In fact, never borrowing money can negatively impact your financial health overall. But there are risks involved, too. If you use credit incorrectly, the interest payments on your debt can […]
August 2022 Market Update
Inflation, Labor market & Consumer sentiment Inflation slowed to “just” an 8.5% annual increase in July, down from 9.1% in June and 8.6% in May. On a month-over-month basis, prices were pretty much flat(1). Relief at the gas pump was a major driver of the slowdown with gas falling 7.7% and overall energy falling 4.6% […]
July 2022 Market Update
Inflation Continues Inflation ticked up once again in June, with the Consumer Price Index increasing 9.1% from the year prior, up from May’s 8.6% increase(1). Price increases were spread broadly across the economy, though surging energy prices accounted for almost half of the overall increase. Pain at the pump in June drove headlines with gasoline […]
