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.
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 […]
