06|25|2024

Downshift or Full Steam Ahead? | June 21, 2024

Markets were positive for the week overall. Is there a down shift happening or will it be full steam ahead? Monday                       S&P 500 0.77%| NASDAQ 0.95% Markets started the week...

06|24|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | June 21, 2024

Retail Sales: Core retail sales (excluding automobiles) softened (May) (MoM), to -0.1%, missing the forecasted number of 0.2%. Consumer spending activity will be top of mind as we head...

06|17|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | June 14, 2024

Consumer Goods & Materials: Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) (inflation excluding food and energy costs), which measures the change in consumer prices, increased .2%, which was lower than expected...

06|10|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | June 7, 2024

Unemployment: Nonfarm Payrolls (May) forecast was estimated at 182k, but actual numbers came in at 272k. The Federal Reserve bank meets this week, and this data will likely impact...

06|03|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | May 31, 2024

The money supply, including time deposits, rose $26B to $20.867T (Apr) which reflects cash accumulating in money market funds with their attractive yields. Money supply is running 73.8% of...

05|28|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | May 24, 2024

Michigan Consumer Sentiment confirmed it has weakened markedly following a robust 1st Quarter 2024 with the gauge dropping to 69.1 (May) from 77.2 (Apr).  Be sure to check out...

05|20|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | May 17, 2024

Retail Sales (MoM)(Apr) came in flat, which was lower than forecasts of an increase of .4%. The data indicates a slowing in consumer spending. Credit card balances outstanding (Q1...

05|13|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | May 10, 2024

The S&P 500 Index rose 94.89 points for the week, closing at 5,222.68 (up 9.49% YTD). Over the past 3 weeks of trading, the index has risen 5%. The...

05|06|2024

Leading Indicator Watch | May 3, 2024

Unemployment: News this week in employment data showed an easing labor market. Non-Farm Payrolls (Apr) added 175k jobs, lower than forecasts of 238k. JOLTs Job Openings fell to 8.488M...