Congressional Democrats have limited influence over President Trump’s policy agenda, but government funding requires 60 votes in the Senate, giving them leverage since Republicans hold just 53 seats. Votes will be used as leverage, putting the US government into a shutdown at midnight tonight. Democrats' Position: ACA Subsidies Democrats are pushing to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025. They view this as an important policy priority an… View More
Earnings Projections Revised Upward for Q3, Contrary to Historical Trends As we near the end of the third quarter this week, optimism regarding Q3 earnings growth remains strong. Estimates have been revised upward throughout the quarter, now projecting an 8.8% increase, which goes against the historical trend of downward revisions. Seven of the eleven sectors are anticipated to report positive earnings growth, with four sectors expected to see growth in the mid-to-high teens. The technology se… View More
The loss of momentum in U.S. payroll job growth has been a concern. The FOMC statement noted last week that "job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remains low" and followed that up with "the Committee … judges that downside risks to employment have risen." However, initial claims falling to 231,000 (240,000 on the 4-week average) were reassuring last week. Factoring out recent noisy readings due to fraud in TX, claims indicate economy-wide firing remains limited. U… View More
What is M2: M2 is a measure of the money supply that includes M1 (currency, demand deposits, and other liquid deposits like checking accounts) plus savings deposits, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs) with maturities of less than $100,000. It represents a broader measure of money available in an economy for spending and investment. If a tree fell in the woods, but the data said it didn’t, does it really mean anything? Despite what appeared to be relatively solid data, m… View More
Recent economic indicators suggest growing concerns about a potential recession. With calls for such an event expected to intensify. A weak jobs report has solidified expectations for an interest rate cut, as policymakers aim to stimulate economic activity. Analysts anticipate that discussions surrounding a recession will amplify in the near term, driven by persistent labor market challenges and broader economic uncertainties. Key Points: Recession Concerns: Emerging signals indicate a … View More