It Happened Last Week – – –
In case you missed the news, the US stock markets slumped last week. While this may be scary, this is something we’ve been expecting for some time.
August Economic Update
As the quarter ended, the Bureau of Economic Analysis unveiled its initial estimate of second quarter growth: a decent 2.3%. However, June retail sales and personal spending numbers were released by the Commerce Department, and they were disappointing. To be positive, the latest Labor Department report showed no letup in the pace of hiring, with employers adding 223,000 new workers in June. Given this mixed bag of late spring and early summer statistics, investors wondered if the Federal Reserve might hold off on a rate hike until late in the year.
July Economic Update
While global stock and commodities markets slumped, the leading indicators showed the U.S. economy pulling out of its first-quarter lethargy, with home sales being a particular bright spot. Stocks may have stumbled in June, but the news from Main Street was largely positive.
June Economic Update
Bears maintain that June is a poor month for stocks – but recent S&P 500 history offers a mixed picture of gains and losses. The S&P went negative in June 2010, 2011 and 2013 but positive in June 2012 and 2014. All in all, the month turned out better than Wall Street expected.
May Economic Update
Stocks wavered in April, with the S&P 500 ultimately rising a decent 0.85%. Investors were cautious. Was the economy doing well? Or not as well as commonly believed? Last month, two headlines emerged that affected investor perceptions.