The US economy grew at a +1.1% annual rate in the first quarter of 2023, marking a decline from the +2.6% growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Fewer container imports indicate the economy is reverting to pre-pandemic norms. This drop could help alleviate supply chain bottlenecks and ease inflationary pressures, a positive development after inflation rose to a 40-year high during the pandemic.

First quarter economic data showed the U.S. economy entered 2023 with considerable momentum, even in light of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022.

During the pandemic, businesses and individuals flooded banks with new deposits. As the Fed raises interest rates and customers look for higher yields, the banking industry is under considerable pressure.

Based on January economic data and fourth-quarter data revisions, the U.S. economy appears to be in a stronger position than economists forecast. Job growth was robust in January as U.S. employers added 517,000 jobs, well above the average.

In the past two years, the U.S. consumer has been a big part of the country's strong economic growth. Rising wages, multiple fiscal stimulus checks, and easy access to cheap credit have helped.

Looking ahead to 2023, the U.S. economy is forecasted to slow as the cumulative effect of higher interest rates takes hold.

Today international stocks currently trade at more attractive valuations than U.S. stocks after a decade of underperformance.

Markets faced several challenges in 2022, including high inflation, historic central bank policy, the war in Ukraine, and Covid lockdowns in China.

Financial advisors often recommend various strategies for investors to follow as they plot their way to retirement. If you feel your retirement investment plan is adrift, consider these ten strategies, which could help steer you in the right direction.

Dollar-cost averaging (SCA) may be particularly beneficial in a down market like the one we have seen in 2022.

The U.S. housing market is experiencing a significant slowdown after two years of rapid growth.

Stocks traded higher for a second consecutive month after another encouraging inflation report. Investors cheered the report as fresh evidence that price pressures are easing after a period of high inflation.

Stock market volatility is rising this year after a relatively calm 2021. Financial markets are experiencing bigger moves up and down as investors navigate a long list of events.

Stock markets remained volatile during October, once again changing direction as investors shifted their views. After declining -9.2% during September, the S&P 500 gained +8.1% during October.

Early inflation pressures were attributed to clogged supply chains and strong demand overwhelming limited supply, but a new source of inflation is gaining attention as supply chains normalize – wage inflation.

The S&P 500 finished the third quarter down -4.9%, while the 2-year Treasury yield reached levels not seen since 2007. This recap covers the third quarter and provides an update on the key questions markets faced at the start of the third quarter.

When transitioning jobs, consider the implications for your old 401(k) carefully. Preserving the tax benefits of your investments may substantially improve your ability to grow your wealth over time.

Investors were surprised by the 0.1% month-over-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August. The report will likely push the Federal Reserve to persist with its aggressive campaign of interest rate increases.

We currently project that the US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index will approach 50 during the next three months before dipping below 50 (i.e., manufacturing contraction) during 1Q23.