APRIL 2, 2018 – CONSUMER CONFIDENCE HOLDING WITH EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS Headline consumer confidence slipped slightly in March after reaching an 18-year high in February. However, consumer confidence is still seen as being high and indicates support for strong growth in consumer spending in the coming months. Lower income taxes and accelerations in hiring are raising consumer optimism. The jobs-plentiful index …
March 26, 2018 – Fed Ups Rates by 25 Basis Points, Hints at 4th Increase this Year
MARCH 26, 2018 – FED UPS RATES BY 25 BASIS POINTS, HINTS AT 4TH INCREASE THIS YEAR As expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced a 25 basis point rate increase last week. The vote to increase the federal funds rate was unanimous; the range of rates now stands at 1.50 to 1.75 percent. The language used in the FOMC …
March 19, 2018 — Good News Abounds; Rates on the Rise this Week
MARCH 19, 2018 – GOOD NEWS ABOUNDS; RATES ON THE RISE THIS WEEK The FOMC meets this week, expectations are rates will move up by 25 basis points. Nothing has happened in the last weeks that would derail these plans. In fact, the economy seems to be picking up on all fronts. Last week, filings for unemployment benefits fell for …