February 2017 Economic data released last month was solidly robust, with manufacturing continuing its recent expansion, non-farm payrolls surging, initial unemployment insurance claims touching a 17-year low, and consumer confidence continuing to hit post-crisis highs.  Even the Dallas Fed Manufacturing index outlook skyrocketed to 24.5.  That measure is a diffusion index and indicates that a […]

December 2016 The post-election euphoria in the stock market continued in December, lifting indices to just below all-time record highs.  The catalyst for the buying has been investor expectations of a more favorable business environment and, with it, accelerated profit growth.  Bond investors, on the other hand, have been grappling back and forth on President […]

October 2016 Prior to the release of the October employment report, Bloomberg television welcomed a prominent economics professor to the show, asking him to give his first impression of the then soon to be released economic data.  During their idle chatter prior to the release, the professor reminded viewers that years back, Jack Welsh, the […]

August 2016 With the Federal Open Market Committee scheduled to meet on September 21st, investors find themselves debating, yet again, whether or not the Fed will raise short term interest rates.  Recall, we were in a similar situation exactly one year ago.  Chair Yellen’s comments at last month’s Jackson Hole, Wyoming gathering of Central Bankers […]