Given this is an election year, chances are you have heard a lot of economic figures thrown around. (Some are even true.) While it’s always a good idea to keep up with the economic trends, there is a lot of data out there and it might be difficult for you to keep track. (It’s OK, Read more
What’s the Meaning of This? The Fed Finally Cuts Rates
After many months of punditry and prognostication regarding the potential for the Federal Reserve to cut the federal funds rate in 2024, the agency finally did so at its September 17-18 meeting. The Fed lowered the target for the rate by 0.50%, or 50 basis points, to a range of 4.75% to 5.0%. This amount Read more
What to Do With Your 401(k) When You Change Jobs
Due to the tight job market and rising wages, many people have changed jobs over the last several years. That means that they probably left a 401(k) behind at their prior job. You may be one of those people. If so, what are your options to manage that 401(k)? You have several choices, but it’s Read more
Why the Economy and the Stock Market Are Not the Same
You’ve heard it from presidents and pundits, at the PTA meeting and the produce stand: The stock market is up, so the economy is good. Or maybe you’ve heard that, because the stock market is down, the economy is tanking. While the stock market and the economy often do impact each other, however, they are Read more
Tariffs — What’s Next ?
There has been a lot of talk about tariffs over the last eight years, and in this election year, you are likely to hear even more. This is not anything new – debates in American politics over tariffs go back to the nation’s beginning. Alexander Hamilton, the nation’s first treasury secretary, asserted that tariffs were Read more
Dueling Surveys: What’s the Real Employment Story?
The Federal Reserve’s modern statutory mandate, as described in the 1977 amendment to the Federal Reserve Act, is to promote maximum employment and stable prices. These goals are commonly referred to as the dual mandate. High levels of employment are key to a vibrant economy. Maximum employment promotes business investment, thus boosting productivity and the economy’s Read more