In April 2021, consumer prices rose sharply, driving the rate of inflation to the highest level since 2008, which sparked concern among investors though the Federal Reserve says the rise is temporary and will soon ebb. In contrast, the current rate of inflation has jumped to 4.2% in April. Despite the fact that at this Read more
Economic Outlook
The 2021 Outlook: How Can We Recover From 2020?
As 2020 has ended, we began to look forward to 2021 in hope the year arriving will be better than the one just departing. How could it not be, after months filled with pandemic, toxic politics, and violence in the streets? What do we anticipate for the economy in 2021? Given the promise of the Read more
Rough Treatment: The Pandemic and the Second Quarter
Whether we have seen the worst effects of the global coronavirus pandemic is still too soon to determine. What we do know is that the second quarter of 2020 presented a monumental economic challenge to American investors, consumers, employers, government agencies, and workers, and we see this reflected in the data. Unemployment remains high, and Read more
How Hard Has COVID-19 Hit the U.S. Housing Market?
Like just about everything else during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. housing industry is on lockdown. New-construction sales centers are empty. In most states, real estate agents can’t show houses. Inspectors won’t inspect. Appraisers can’t appraise. Even cash buyers willing to waive contingencies can’t get an appointment with Realtors. Closings for homes that went Read more
How Hard Has the Coronavirus Already Hit the Economy?
Besides the toll on those afflicted, the coronavirus known as COVID-19 is spreading global anxiety and uncertainty. As we have seen recently, the markets do not behave predictably when there is uncertainty, which makes it difficult to say how will the virus affect the economy. Without a vaccine (said to be a year or more Read more
Exploring Esports in Las Vegas with the Emerald Groundhogs
As noted in a previous report, members of Bowen Asset Management were in Las Vegas from September 26 through 29 attending the “Emerald Groundhogs on Tour 2019” investment conference, an annual event presented by the Lancaster County-based firm Emerald Asset Management. As always, it offered a chance to find out about investment opportunities, social trends, Read more