March 14, 2017 The data is in. The jobs report has been released and the Federal Reserve Board’s Open Market Committee is meeting as we release this publication. Keep in mind that the employment numbers are a major factor in affecting the Fed’s decision — but they are not the only factor. The stock market […]
Read MoreMarch 7, 2017 In the past few weeks we have spoken a lot about confidence. Certainly, confidence has been the major influence behind the recent stock rally. It has also influenced the recent movements in rates and oil prices. If this confidence spills over to a hiring spree, then the chances of another rate increase […]
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2017 It has been a whirlwind start to the year with record stock prices and a new administration coming together. And the year could get a bit more interesting with an employment report due out at the end of next week. Of course, the jobs data is always important, but this report could […]
Read MoreFebruary 21, 2017 During the past few months we have had a very solid rally in the stock market, which has been accompanied by higher interest rates. Certainly, the economic results that have been released have not changed that much during that period, and thus we can conclude that the changes in the markets are […]
Read MoreFebruary 14, 2017 As we indicated previously, we are not about to speculate as to what might happen as a result of the policies of the new Administration. There is still a tremendous road to be laid. However, we can say that the President has moved quickly to issue a barrage of Executive Orders during […]
Read MoreFebruary 7, 2017 Certainly, this past week was one to get a good assessment of where the economy stands coming into the new year and a new Presidency. In the past week or so, we have had reports on overall economic growth for 2016; personal income and spending for December; the jobs report for January; […]
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2017 We now have a new President to go along with a new Congress. During the past year or so, we have endured what can only be described as an excruciatingly long election season mired in controversy and then even more controversy leading up to this time. With all this has come an […]
Read MoreJanuary 17, 2017 Last week we focused upon the employment situation in the long-term — looking back at 2016 and for the past eight to ten years. If there is one economic indicator which rivals the importance of the employment situation, it is real estate. Looking back, the real estate boom contributed to the great […]
Read MoreJanuary 10, 2017. We just saw the last unemployment report of 2016. The December numbers came in at 156,000 jobs added for the month, which was a bit lower than expected–but the previous two months were revised upward by almost 20,000. The unemployment rate came in at 4.7%, as expected. Wage growth came in higher […]
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